Page 223 - Christies Japanese and Korean Art Sept 22 2020 NYC

240
A GILT-BRONZE STANDING FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA with long strands of hair cascading over the shoulders. As seen
THREE KINGDOMS PERIOD (7TH CENTURY) here, a crown sometimes surrounds the high topknot. Bodhisattvas
The slender figure posed on an integral lotus stand holding the wear ornamental scarves, dhotis of rich silk brocade, and a wealth
identifying urn in left hand, ornamented with a garland necklace of jewelry that typically includes necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and
across the torso and drapery flowing in long, looping pleats from anklets; this figure’s beaded necklace descends from the neck to the
the waist and further drapery that enwrapped the arms and that chest, passes through a medallion at the waist, falls to the knees in
ends in an upward sweep above the feet, the head cast with a raised two broad ellipses, and then loops around to the figure’s back. Like
crown; the reverse side of the figure with a mounting peg at the Buddhas, bodhisattvas have distended earlobes; some wear earrings,
back of the shoulder others do not.
5¿ in. (13 cm.) high
Closely related sculptures are in the collections of the Harvard Art
$20,000-30,000 Museums (1943.53.75) and of the National Museum of Korea
(NMK), Seoul (M335 and Sinsu 3298; see: National Museum of
Korea, ed., Masterpieces of Early Buddhist Sculpture, 100 BCE–700
Elegantly outfitted in the sumptuous trappings of an Indian
prince of old, this gilt bronze sculpture represents a bodhisattva, CE, Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2015, pp. 186-187, no. 92,
a benevolent being who has attained enlightenment but who has M335, and pp. 200-201, no. 100, Sinsu 3298). This sculpture bears
postponed entry into nirvana in order to assist other sentient beings a striking visual and stylistic similarity to NMK M335, which the
in gaining enlightenment. Bodhisattvas generally are depicted with NMK curators date to the seventh century and assign to the Baekje
a single head, two arms, and two legs, though they in fact may be Kingdom (c. 18 BC–AD 660), just as it also shows kinship to the
shown with multiple heads and limbs. Richly attired, bodhisattvas, seventh-century Harvard figure. The base’s polygonal lower edge
who may be presented either standing or seated, are represented finds parallels in the bases of the Harvard sculpture and of NMK
with long hair often arranged in a tall bun atop the head and often Sinsu 3298, which the NMK curators date to the seventh century
and ascribe to the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–AD 935).