Page 25 - Bonhams Asian Art London November 5, 2020

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A LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF ‘WATER-MOON’ GUANYIN Seated in the pose of ‘royal ease’, the deity probably depicts the Water-
Probably Qing Dynasty Moon Guanyin, an iconography derived from Tang dynasty paintings.
The deity finely carved with a gentle, contemplative expression, the
hair worn in a topknot with knotted tresses falling over the shoulders, According to the ‘Lotus Sutra’, Guanyin can take any form necessary
seated in rajalalitasana with right arm resting on the raised right knee, to save sentient beings, and mentions thirty-three as manifestations
the left hand resting on the level surface to support the weight, wearing which the deity could take, of which seven were female. The figure’s
a sash tied across the left shoulder and a long dhoti secured by a sash sensual curves however, evoke a distinctly feminine feel, and by the
around the waist, adorned with floral earrings, elaborate necklace, and Ming dynasty, Guanyin was usually depicted in a feminine form.
beaded armbands.
82cm (32 2/8in) high. Guanyin images seated in the relaxed position of royal ease are
referred to as Zizai Guanyin, literally meaning ‘Guanyin at ease’. When
£15,000 - 20,000 such figures were placed in a grotto or seated on rocky platforms,
CNY130,000 - 180,000 they reference the Water Moon Guanyin, who sits by the water’s edge
contemplating the reflection of the moon in the water and recognising
the illusory nature of all phenomena, gently smiles at humans who
或清 木雕水月觀音像 grasp for the reflection of the moon mistaking it for reality.

The result of a radiocarbon dating measurement test, RCD For a wood figure of Guanyin, Tang dynasty, whose iconography may
Lockinge Radiocarbon Dating Measurement Report, sample have served as prototype for the present lot, see H.Trubner, The Arts
no.RCD-8178, states 95.4% probability for 1664-1953, of which of the T’ang Dynasty, Los Angeles, 1957, no.57; see also R.L.Thorp
77.3% probability is for 1664-1884. and V.Bower, Spirit and Ritual: The Morse Collection of Ancient
Chinese Art, New York, 1982, no.59.
據英國RCD Lockinge實驗室放射性碳定年測量報告，樣本編號RCD-
8178之檢測結果表明，本拍品有95.4%之可能性制於1664年至1953
年間，其中77.3%之可能性制於1664年至1884年間。

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.