A RARE LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSRI

13TH/14TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSRI
13TH/14TH CENTURY
The bodhisattva shown seated in lalitasana atop a recumbent lion with curly mane and a cloth draped over its back, the figure holding a scroll in the right hand and with the left hand raised in vitarka mudra, wearing loosely draped robes that expose the bare chest which is spanned by necklaces, the hair dressed in rippling tresses and the head surmounted by a foliate-scroll crown centered by a figure of Amitabha Buddha and hung with knotted trailing ribbons, with extensive remains of red lacquer and traces of gold lacquer
8¼ in. (21 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

Manjusri, also known as Wenshushili Pusa, is the bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is commonly identified by the lion atop which he sits. He is often seen in the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, accompanied by the bodhisattva Samantabhadra, who is depicted seated atop an elephant. For a gilt-bronze example of Manjusri seated in lalitsana atop a lion, dated 13th-14th century, with similar jewelry and treatment of the long, flowing robes, see Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Chang Foundation, Taipei, 1993, p. 177, no. 51.

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