A SMALL GILT-BRONZE STANDING FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA

TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

Details

A SMALL GILT-BRONZE STANDING FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA
TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)
The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara shown standing gracefully in tribangha on a waisted lotus base, holds a kamandalu in the pendent right hand and a willow branch in the raised left hand, and wears bead necklaces, scarves that swirl gracefully on either side of the body to below the bare feet, and a headdress centered by a figure of Amitabha Buddha and tied at the sides with trailing ribbons.
3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) high, gilt-wood stand

Provenance

Private collection, Japan, acquired prior to 1930.

Lot Essay

This graceful, well-cast figure of Avalokiteshvara is a fine example of gilt-bronze bodhisattva figures of Tang date, exhibiting the fluid line of the tribangha pose enhanced by the implied swirling movement of the scarves that frame the body. Compare the similar figure, also shown holding a willow branch and a kamandalu ('holy water' bottle), illustrated by Matsubara Saburo in Chugoku Bukkyo Chokokushi ron (The Path of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture), vol. 3, Tokyo, 1995, pls. 701 a & b. When held by Avalokiteshvara, the vase or bottle is considered to contain the nectar of compassion.

More from Treasures of the Noble Path: Early Buddhist Art from Japanese Collections

View All