Lot Essay
A closely related, but much larger, figure sold in our London Rooms, 5 June 1995, lot 276.
Manjusri, otherwise known as Wenshushili Pusa, is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. This figure is often seen in a group of three comprising of Sakyamuni and Samantabhadra (Puxian Pusa) who is portrayed seated on an elephant.
It is unusual to find comparable examples of Manjursi cast in bronze, closest example appears to be the larger example cited above. The crisp and fluid, casting and the realistic pose of both the Deity and the animated beast sets this group apart from other examples from this period. Compare with a less elaborately cast figure of Bodhisattva Samatabhadra from the Warren Cox Collection, where the Deity and the elephant appear more sedate, illustrated by Hugo Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, fig. 80
(US$60,000-65,000)
Manjusri, otherwise known as Wenshushili Pusa, is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. This figure is often seen in a group of three comprising of Sakyamuni and Samantabhadra (Puxian Pusa) who is portrayed seated on an elephant.
It is unusual to find comparable examples of Manjursi cast in bronze, closest example appears to be the larger example cited above. The crisp and fluid, casting and the realistic pose of both the Deity and the animated beast sets this group apart from other examples from this period. Compare with a less elaborately cast figure of Bodhisattva Samatabhadra from the Warren Cox Collection, where the Deity and the elephant appear more sedate, illustrated by Hugo Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, fig. 80
(US$60,000-65,000)