Page 60 - CHRISTIE'S Buddhist Art Japanese Collections 09/14/17

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A SMALL GILT-BRONZE STANDING
FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA

TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara shown standing gracefully in tribangha on a
waisted lotus base, holds a kamandalu in the pendent right hand and a willow
branch in the raised left hand, and wears bead necklaces, scarves that swirl
gracefully on either side of the body to below the bare feet, and a headdress
centered by a fgure of Amitabha Buddha and tied at the sides with trailing ribbons.
3√ in. (9.8 cm.) high, gilt-wood stand

$4,000-6,000

PROVENANCE

Private collection, Japan, acquired prior to 1930.
This graceful, well-cast fgure of Avalokiteshvara is a fne example of gilt-bronze
bodhisattva fgures of Tang date, exhibiting the fuid line of the tribangha pose
enhanced by the implied swirling movement of the scarves that frame the body.
Compare the similar fgure, also shown holding a willow branch and a kamandalu
(‘holy water’ bottle), illustrated by Matsubara Saburo in Chugoku Bukkyo
Chokokushi ron (The Path of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture), vol. 3, Tokyo, 1995,
pls. 701 a & b. When held by Avalokiteshvara, the vase or bottle is considered to
contain the nectar of compassion.

唐 鎏金銅觀音菩薩立像

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