Page 87 - Sotheby's May 10th 2017 London Important Chinese Art

178

A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF ELEVEN
HEADED AVALOKITESHVARA
17TH CENTURY

cast seated in dhyanasana with twenty-four arms and eleven
heads arranged in four tiers and surmounted with Amitabha,
the principle hands in anjalimudra, another two pairs held in
dhyanamudra and abhayamudra, the others fanned out each
bearing an attribute, the last pair supporting the gure of
Amitabha, the face of a serene expression with subtly outlined
eyes cast downward and a smiling bud mouth, the gure
adorned with elaborate jewellery and wearing a dhoti and a
long shawl covering the shoulders with sash-ends owing
down the sides
25 cm, 9 in.

The bodhisatva Avalokitesvara with eleven heads is known
as Samantamukha, the All-Pitying One, who looks in every
direction to save all creatures. The legend explains that the
heads were created as a result of Avalokiteshvara’s attempt
to save culprits from hell. When he realised that for every soul
saved another wicked soul took its place, his head out of grief
split into many pieces. These Amitabha turned into heads,
whose additional eyes and brains would assist him in his
e orts to save mankind.

For a very similar gure, see one sold in our Paris rooms, 23rd
June 2016, lot 34.

£ 20,000-30,000

HK$ 193,000-290,000 US$ 24,900-37,300

178 179

179
A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

cast seated in vajraparyankasana on a double lotus pedestal,
with both hands crossed in prajnalinganabhinayamudra
clasping avajra and ghanta, wearing an eight leaf crown
enclosing the high scrolling chignon set with a cintamani nial,
the meditative face framed by large wheel-shaped earrings,
wearing extravagant beaded jewellery and belt, a dhoti and a
long celestial scarf draped across the shoulders and arms
15.3 cm, 6 in.
಴£ 15,000-25,000
HK$ 145,000-242,000 US$ 18,700-31,100

180 No lot

IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 85