Page 155 - Fine Chinese Art Bonhams London May 2018

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A LARGE GILT-COPPER-ALLOY FIGURE OF
ELEVEN-HEADED AVALOKITESHVARA
18th century
The deity finely cast standing with eight arms and
eleven heads arranged in five tiers surmounted by
one head with a wrathful expression topped by
a small head of Amitabha Buddha, the principal
hands held in anjali mudra, the others fanned out
in various mudras and holding various attributes,
the body adorned with elaborate jewellery inlaid
with hard stones and billowing ribbons, with a
deer skin slung across one shoulder, wood stand.
32cm (12 1/2in) high. (2).

£22,000 - 28,000
CNY200,000 - 250,000

十八世紀 銅鎏金十一首觀音菩薩立像

Venerated in Indian Buddhism as embodiment of
the Compassion of the Buddha, Avalokitesvara
was incorporated in beliefs concerning the rebirth
in the Pure Land of the Amithaba Buddha from at
least the 1st-2nd century AD. In this context, the
deity effected the spiritual rebirth of the devotees
in the blissful land, the ideal atmosphere leading to
peaceful nurturing and enlightenment. According
to the ‘Karandavyuha Sutra’ and the ‘Flower
Garland Sutra’, both compiled between the 5th
and the 6th centuries AD, the eleven towering
heads crowning the head of the deity designated
the ten steps towards enlightenment, culminating
with the visualisation of the Amithaba Buddha; the
fan of arms holding different implements signified
the measureless skilful means to save all suffering
beings.

A related gilt-copper alloy figure of
Avalokiteshvara, 18th century, in the Palace
Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Zangchuan
Fojiao Zaoxiang-Gugong Bowuyuan Cang Wenwu
Zhenpin Quanji, Hong Kong, 2008, p.216, no.206.
Another example was sold at Christie’s New York,
21 March 2012, lot 811.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 147