Page 131 - Christies Fine Chinese Works of Art March 2016 New York

THE PROPERTY OF A PHILADELPHIA GENTLEMAN

1407

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYIN
TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

The bodhisattva stands on a double-lotus base
with hips swayed, holding a water vessel
in the left hand and a willow branch in the
right. He is clad in an ankle-length dhoti and
adorned with various jewelry and fowing
sashes. The face is serene in expression, with
downcast eyes, and the hair is tied in an
elaborate chignon with locks escaping over
the shoulders.

7º in. (18.4 cm.) high

$20,000-30,000

PROVENANCE

Eldred’s, Massachusetts, 27 August 1987.

The end of the sixth century witnessed the
manifestation of Guanyin, inspired by the Lotus
Sutra. Known as Avalokiteshvara, this type of
Guanyin is shown either seated or standing and
holding a spray of willow and a bottle containing
sacred water that can cure all spiritual and
physical illnesses.

Comparable Tang-dynasty gilt-bronze standing
fgures of bodhisattvas are illustrated in Zhongguo
liu shi hai wai fo jiao zao xiang zong he tu mu
(Comprehensive Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese
Buddhist Statues in Overseas Collections), vol. 5,
Beijing, 2005, p. 936. See, also, the gilt-bronze
fgure of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara dated
700-750, also with a pronounced narrow waist
tapering from the broad chest and shoulders, in
the Freer Gallery of Art illustrated by A. Howard,
“Highlights of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture in
the Freer Collection”, Orientations, May 1993, pp.
93-101, fg. 12.
唐 銅鎏金觀音立像

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