A bronze figure of Guanyin

16TH/17TH CENTURY

Details

A bronze figure of Guanyin
16th/17th Century
Shown seated in vajrasana, the right hand held up in vitarkamudra, a figure of Amitabha Buddha at the centre of the high openwork tiara and above the chignon, wearing elaborate beaded jewels around the neck and waist, the face cast with serene expression, flanked above the shoulders with a kundika flask and kalavinka, traces of gilt (minute damage and loss)
26 cm. high

Lot Essay

In Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, 1993, from the Chang Foundation, p. 80, the author suggests that the kavalinka is a particular species of bird from the Himalayan region with a beautiful singing voice. It is thought that its voice symbolises the spread of Buddhist teachings.

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