Page 64 - Bonhams Chinese Paintings June 2015

7088 Property formerly in the Collection of
Erich A. Heinrichs, Chicago, IL
7089
7088
62 | BONHAMS An inscribed gilt bronze seated figure of
Shadakshari Lokeshvara
Kangxi period, dated to 1680
Cast with his two principal hands in namaskaramudra, the raised left
hand holding the remains of a lotus stalk and the right hand a single
drilled jewel as he sits dhyanasana on a double lotus plinth trimmed
with pearl bands and fronted by the lower edges of his shoulder scarf,
his slender body draped in princely jewelry, his head encircled by a
five-peaked crown and a seated Buddha fronting his tall chignon;
the front top edge of the base inscribed Namo Guanshiyin Pusa and
the back inscribed Da Qing Kangxi gengshen nian zheng yue chu
shi ri cheng (completed on the first ten days of the first month of the
gengshen year [1680] during the Kangxi reign of the Great Qing); the
base unsealed, but showing the remains of red lacquer and chisel
marks along the foot pad.
7 7/8in (19.5cm) high
$6,000 - 8,000

Dated bronze images from the Kangxi reign appear to be rare: for
another gilt bronze figure of Shadakshari dated 14th year of Kangxi
(1675), see Christie’s, New York, sale 1115, 19 September 2002, lot
175 (7in, 17.7cm high). See also the gilt bronze Guanyin on lotus-
topped plinth dated cyclically to 1698 in Sotheby’s London, sale 16
May 2012, lot 234 (7 7/8in, 20cm high).

Dr. Erich A. Heinrichs was a PhD. Chemist with his degree from
the Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany. After graduation
in the early 1930s, he took a position with the Fuji Film Company
in Japan and relocated to Asia. Accompanied by his wife, Tamara,
they enjoyed Asian culture and became fluent in the language. It was
during this time that Dr. Heinrichs likely acquired the Shadakshari
Lokeshvara (lot 7088). The couple also took interest in Noh theater,
and netsuke collecting became a major interest as well as ikebana,
the study of Japanese flower arranging. The couple was forced to
stay in Japan by the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1951 they
emigrated to the United States, bringing the collection with them.
Erich went on to enjoy a long career with the HB Fuller Co., greatly
enjoying the items which he collected during his time in Asia until his
passing at the age of 95 in 1999.

Property from Another Owner

7089
A cast bronze figure of Samantabhadra
Ming dynasty
The bodhisattva dressed in princely jewels and wearing on his
head an elaborate two-tiered crown fronted with a seated figure of
Buddha, his hands held in abhaya and varadamudra as he sits in
royal ease upon the back of an elephant resting on a rectangular
base trimmed with jeweled lotus petals, the surfaces showing
remains of red and green pigments.
12in (35cm) high
$3,000 - 5,000