Lot 2860
2860
A RARE GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF GUANYIN
A RARE GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF GUANYIN
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THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
A RARE GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF GUANYIN

YUAN DYNASTY (1271-1368)

Details
A RARE GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF GUANYIN
YUAN DYNASTY (1271-1368)
The deity is modelled seated with the left leg pendent and the other in lilasana, the posture of relaxation, with right hand resting on top of the right knee and the left arm is supported by a curved three-legged arm rest that continues around the back. Adorned with elaborate beaded jewellery and a foliate crown accommodating the Amitabha. Wearing gossamer garment fallen in folds around the body and elaborately tied to one side of the torso with a long shawl that wraps around the body and drapes over the arms. The layered dhoti is embellished with further beaded chains. There are traces of gold and red lacquer remaining.
16 1/2 in. (42 cm.) high, stand
Provenance
Evelyn Annenberg Hall, sold at Christie's New York, 29 March 2006, lot 181

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Lot Essay

The modelling of the present figure seated at ease with the left leg pendent is often termed by the name of the Water Moon Guanyin or Nanhai Guanyin (the Avalokitesvara of the Southern Seas). Both names refer to the Guanyin residing at Mount Potalaka on the southern coast of India. This imagery was introduced into China with the translation of the Avatamsaka (Huayan) sutra in the early 5th century.
Compare to a later gilt-bronze figure of Guanyin which is slightly smaller (38.7 cm. high) but remarkably similar in posture and style, formerly in the Nitta Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 April 1998, lot 601 (fig. 1).

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