TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Details

A SMALL GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA
TANG DYNASTY (618-907)
Seated in lalitsana on an integral base covered with elegantly folded drapery, the figure wearing an elaborately jeweled necklace, with left hand resting on the knee and the right raised in abhayamudra, the face with pensive expression beneath a high tiara, the hair dressed in a high topknot and two long braids extending down the shoulders
6 in. (15.2 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired in the United States prior to 1981.

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Lot Essay

Votive gilt-bronzes of the 'Teaching Buddha', with right hand raised and left hand resting on the knee, became extremely popular from the turn of the eighth century. Two related gilt-bronze figures in the collection of the Shanghai Museum are illustrated by S. Matsubara, Chuugoku Bukkyo Chokokushi Ron (The Path of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture), vol. 3, Tang, Five Dynasties, Sung and Taoism Sculpture, Tokyo, 1995, pl. 720 A and B. Compare, also, the smaller (9.5 cm.) Tang dynasty gilt-bronze figure of a bodhisattva, sold in these rooms, 17 September 2008, lot 390.

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