A Chinese gilt-bronze sculpture of Guanyin on a lotus throne pedestal
Ming-dynasty, late 16th/early 17th century
H. 45.2 cm (total)
The Deity seated in padmasana, the right hand raised in Karana mudra, dressed in long robes decorated with flowers at the hems, wearing ornate jewellery and a crown set with a small figure of Amitabha Buddha. The separate gilt-bronze pedestal stand is cast with rows of lotus petals and supported on a column that rises from crashing waves within a hexagonal aproned base with an openwork balustrade.
Provenance:
Collection of a French diplomat, collected in China around 1912; thence by descent
Sculptures from this period, can be recognized by the relatively large head, and it is rare to find one with proportions that are perceived as perfect by most spectators. However, the Guanyin presented is, according to us, of this perfect form, resulting in an unmatched impression of serenity. While observing in all calmness, one would almost forget that the buddha is a man-made figure. To find one retaining its original pedestal lotus throne is rather rare.
H. 45.2 cm (total)
The Deity seated in padmasana, the right hand raised in Karana mudra, dressed in long robes decorated with flowers at the hems, wearing ornate jewellery and a crown set with a small figure of Amitabha Buddha. The separate gilt-bronze pedestal stand is cast with rows of lotus petals and supported on a column that rises from crashing waves within a hexagonal aproned base with an openwork balustrade.
Provenance:
Collection of a French diplomat, collected in China around 1912; thence by descent
Sculptures from this period, can be recognized by the relatively large head, and it is rare to find one with proportions that are perceived as perfect by most spectators. However, the Guanyin presented is, according to us, of this perfect form, resulting in an unmatched impression of serenity. While observing in all calmness, one would almost forget that the buddha is a man-made figure. To find one retaining its original pedestal lotus throne is rather rare.
Part of the China collection.
Related objects
A highly important gilt-bronze figure of the water moon Guanyin
Late Southern Song to early Yuan dynasty, 13th–14th century _H. 30.7 x D. 6 x W. 17 cm (excl. stand)_ _Weight: 2.4 kg_
An early Chinese wood sculpture of a Portuguese or Spanish Jesuit
Possibly Macao, 17th/early 18th century, indistinctly inscribed at the front of the base
A Chinese Shih-Hua or 'dream-stone’ in a wooden frame
Chinese Dream-stone 18th-century | Amsterdam