18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE FIGURES OF MANJUSHRI AND SAMANTABHARA
18TH CENTURY
The figure of Samantabhara (Puxian) is shown seated on an elephant holds prayer beads and an open book, while Manjushri (Wenshu) is shown seated on a Buddhist lion and also holding a prayer beads. Each bodhisattva is dressed in layered robes and the hair arranged in knotted plaits covered by a cowl. The figures are supported on lotus bases.
Each: 9 ½ in. (24.2 cm.) high, hongmu stands

Provenance

Vera F. Schaaf Collection.
The Art Institute of Chicago, accessioned in 1976.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The present two figures represent Manjushri (Wenshushili Pusa), the bodhisattva of Wisdom, and Samantabhadra (Puxian Pusa), the bodhisattva known as ‘He whose bounty is omnipresent’ and represents the Buddhist Law and compassion. As shown here, Manjushri is usually depicted seated on an lion while Samantabhadra is usually depicted seated on an elephant. The two bodhisattvas often appear flanking a central figure of Shakyamuni Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism, the form of Buddhism which prevailed in China, Shakymuni Buddha was the fourth in a series of earthly Buddhas, before his death foretelling the coming of the fifth early Buddha, Maitreya.

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