A gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara

CHINA, YONGLE MARK AND PERIOD (1403-24)

Details

A gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara
China, Yongle mark and period (1403-24)
Crisply cast seated in lalitasana on a double-lotus base with beaded borders, his right hand resting on his knee and his left raised in vitarka mudra, his face with a benign expression with finely outlined lips and downcast eyes beneath a foliate tiara and flanked by large disk-shaped earrings, wearing a loosely fitted dhoti secured by a belt at the waist with beaded festoons and pendent jewels, with a corresponding necklace with beaded pendants, holding lotus flowers rising up to both shoulders, with a six-character Yongle mark incised at the front of the base
9 in. (24.8 cm.) high

Lot Essay

Bronzes in the Tibeto-Chinese style produced during the brief reign of Emperor Yongle at the beginning of the 15th century and bearing his reign mark are highly distinguished for their craftsmanship, overall refinement and gracefulness. Generally produced in four standardized sizes, the present figure is of the second largest size, the larger sizes being considerably rarer.