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Lot Essay
The present four-armed deity is also known as the Bodhisattva of Infinite Mercy. Gilt-bronze sculptures of this type belong to a group of Buddhist figures of varying sizes that were produced during the first half of 15th century that clearly displays its influence from Tibetan art. As with the Yuan dynasty, the Ming court retained its close relations with Tibet through a number of diplomatic missions. It is possible that Buddhist gilt-bronzes such as the present figure were made as gifts that were exchanged during such visits. The Yongle Emperor himself was well-known for his devotion to Buddhism, and it was recorded that in 1407 the Emperor invited Halima, the fifth Tibetan hierarch, to officiate a ceremony dedicated to Yongle's deceased parents.
Three examples of similar Sadaksari images are published, the first figure from the Ducas Collection, of the same size as the present figure, was sold in at Christie's London, 31 October 1972, lot 51, and illustrated by U. von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 521, pl. 146F. The second is 19.5 cm. high from the Berti Aschmann Collection, included in the Museum Rietberg exhibition, On the Path to Englightenment, Zurich, 1995, p. 101, no. 53. The third is also smaller at 15.8 cm. high, illustrated in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Chang Foundation, Taipai, 1993, p. 75, no. 30. Compare also to a slighter larger example (21 cm. high), sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1245.
Three examples of similar Sadaksari images are published, the first figure from the Ducas Collection, of the same size as the present figure, was sold in at Christie's London, 31 October 1972, lot 51, and illustrated by U. von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 521, pl. 146F. The second is 19.5 cm. high from the Berti Aschmann Collection, included in the Museum Rietberg exhibition, On the Path to Englightenment, Zurich, 1995, p. 101, no. 53. The third is also smaller at 15.8 cm. high, illustrated in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Chang Foundation, Taipai, 1993, p. 75, no. 30. Compare also to a slighter larger example (21 cm. high), sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1245.