Page 205 - Bonhams Asian Art London November 5, 2020

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 紳士藏品

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A LARGE GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF Provenance: a French private collection
MAHASTHAMAPRAPTA
Ming Dynasty 來源：法國私人收藏
Well cast seated in dhyanasana, the left hand in vitakamudra and the
right in dhyana mudra, the palms of both hands and the soles of the The kundika in the headdress identifies the figure as the
feet incised with the ‘wheel of the Buddhist law’, dressed in a loose bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta. In Chinese Pure Land Buddhism,
dhoti with elaborate lotus scroll hems, open at the chest to reveal a Mahathamaprapta is often depicted with Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) on
necklace suspending a floral pendant and multiple beaded chains, either side of Amitabha Buddha. The bodhisattva’s name means the
the full face with a serene expression and downcast eyes framed by arrival of great strength, and while Avalokiteshvara is the personification
a foliate tiara centered with a kundika and elaborate earrings, the hair of Amitabha’s compassion, Mahasthamaprapta represents the power
dressed in a curled topknot surmounted by a jewel and tied tresses of Amitabha’s wisdom.
falling over the shoulders.
58.4cm (23in) high. Figures of this size are rare. For examples of two similar but smaller
bronze bodhisattva figures, see D. Patry Leidy, Wisdom Embodied:
£30,000 - 50,000 Chinese Buddhist and Daoist Sculpture in The Metropolitan Museum
CNY260,000 - 440,000 of Art, New York, 2010, p.183, nos.A56 and A57.

明 銅漆金大勢至菩薩坐像

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.