Page 122 - Christie's Important Chinese Art Nov 3 2020 London

PROPERTY OF A LADY
106
A LARGE AND FINELY-CAST INSCRIBED BRONZE FIGURE OF
AVALOKITESVARA
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
The deity is cast seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus throne, the right
hand raised in abhaya mudra, the gesture of teaching, and the left hand
holding a cup. The figure has downcast eyes and hair upswept into a top knot
surmounted by a flower bud beneath an elaborate tiered crown, two long plaits
falling down each shoulder. The figure wears long flowing robes open at the
chest to reveal a beaded necklace. The hems of the robe are finely detailed
with flower heads and an incised foliate scroll and the folds are skillfully
rendered. The reverse of the base bears an incised 26-character inscription
that reads "Daming zhengtong jiu nian mengchun shi you liu ri fa xin shanren
? Yinjin dao you sun liujinjia zao" dating it to the ninth year of the reign of
Zhengtong, corresponding to 1444.
15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) high
£20,000-40,000 US$26,000-51,000
€22,000-44,000
PROVENANCE:
Property from a private English collection, acquired by the vendor's mother in
the first half of the 20th century, then by descent within the family.
The inscription may be translated as "Sixteenth day of spring, ninth year of
the Zhengtong reign of the Great Ming". It also mentions the names of three
families, "Sun, Liu and Jin".
This sculpture would originally have been gilded and traces of the gilding
can be seen in the crevices of the lotus base. A gilt-bronze figure of Buddha
with a lengthy inscription to the rear of the base corresponding to the cyclical
year date 1437 of the Zhengtong period was sold at Christie's New York, 19
Septmeber 2006, lot 133 and a gilt-bronze sculpture of Akshobya inscribed
and dated 1439 was sold at Sotheby's Paris, 10 December 2019, lot 18.

私人珍藏
明 銅觀音菩薩坐像
來源:
英國私人珍藏, 現藏家母親於20世紀上半葉購入, 家傳至今

(inscription)

In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is
payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty fee are also
120 payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the
Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.