Page 44 - Christie's Fine Chiense Works of Art November 2018 London

26
A RARE AND FINELY-CAST GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF
AVALOKITESHVARA
XUANDE SIX-CHARACTER INCISED MARK AND OF THE PERIOD
(1426-1435)
The bodhisattva is shown seated in lalitasana with the right foot supported on a
lotus stem that projects from the front of the double-lotus base. The hands are
held in vitarkamudra with the left hand held in front of the chest and the right
hand resting on the knee, each holding the ends of a lotus stem, extending
up the arms to fank the shoulders. The graceful fgure wears an elegantly
draped dhoti secured with a beaded, festoon-hung sash, beaded necklaces,
armlets, large circular earrings and an elaborate tiara with eight foliate points
that surrounds a seated fgure of Amitabha Buddha and the artfully arranged
chignon. The reign mark, Da Ming Xuande nian shi, which can be translated as
‘Bestowed in the Xuande reign of the Great Ming dynasty’, is inscribed in a line
at the front of the base. The fgure is richly gilded, and the base is sealed with a
plate inscribed with a double vajra.
10º in. (26 cm.) high
£150,000-200,000 $200,000-260,000
€170,000-220,000
PROVENANCE
Collection of the late Soame Jenyns (1904-1976), then by descent within the
family.

明宣德 鎏金銅觀世音菩薩坐像 「大明宣德年施」款
來源: 英國學者詹甯斯(1904-1976)舊藏, 家傳至今

(mark)