The figure is cast seated on a lotus base in a variant of the royal ease posture, Rajalilasana, with the left leg bent horizontally and right leg bent vertically, the body turned to the left with both hands held together in Anjali mudra, a gesture of offering and veneration, the facial features finely detailed with lips indented to provide a smiling expression, crowned with an elaborate diadem before a high topknot, adorned with a complex network of beaded jewels falling about the bare torso and over the dhoti, the garment further detailed with florettes.
The present figure belongs to a group of early bronzes made by the Imperial workshops of the early 15th century. The portrayal of this figure in a state of movement, is comparable to a number of similar Avalokitesvara images cast in a kneeling pose dated to the Xuande period. The Xuande reign marked gilt bronze Bodhisattva from the Berti Aschmann Foundation of Tibetan Art at the Museum Rietberg, Zurich is the most well-known example of this group. (On the Path to Enlightenment p.123, no.72.)
It has been suggested that these bronzes may represent members of the Chinese Imperial family, both the Aschmann bronze and the present bronze share similarities in the depiction of the rounded facial features and personal adornment.
Provenance
– Estate of Baroness Garnett Von Stackelberg, USA (05 January 1910 -12 January 2005). Acquired in Shanghai, China between 1932 – 1945
– Christies Hong Kong 30th May 2006 “Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art”
– Collection of Mehmet Hassan 2014- 2022
Published: Bigler, Robert R.: Art and Faith at the Crossroads. Tibeto-Chinese Buddhist Images and Ritual Implements from the 12th to the 15th century, Zurich 2013, pp.84, no.31.
A rare small gilt-bronze figure of Avalokitesvara (Ming dynasty, early 15th century, Xuande period 1426-1435)
Description
Dimensions: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm.) high
The figure is cast seated on a lotus base in a variant of the royal ease posture, Rajalilasana, with the left leg bent horizontally and right leg bent vertically, the body turned to the left with both hands held together in Anjali mudra, a gesture of offering and veneration, the facial features finely detailed with lips indented to provide a smiling expression, crowned with an elaborate diadem before a high topknot, adorned with a complex network of beaded jewels falling about the bare torso and over the dhoti, the garment further detailed with florettes.
The present figure belongs to a group of early bronzes made by the Imperial workshops of the early 15th century. The portrayal of this figure in a state of movement, is comparable to a number of similar Avalokitesvara images cast in a kneeling pose dated to the Xuande period. The Xuande reign marked gilt bronze Bodhisattva from the Berti Aschmann Foundation of Tibetan Art at the Museum Rietberg, Zurich is the most well-known example of this group. (On the Path to Enlightenment p.123, no.72.)
It has been suggested that these bronzes may represent members of the Chinese Imperial family, both the Aschmann bronze and the present bronze share similarities in the depiction of the rounded facial features and personal adornment.
Provenance
– Estate of Baroness Garnett Von Stackelberg, USA (05 January 1910 -12 January 2005). Acquired in Shanghai, China between 1932 – 1945
– Christies Hong Kong 30th May 2006 “Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art”
– Collection of Mehmet Hassan 2014- 2022
Published: Bigler, Robert R.: Art and Faith at the Crossroads. Tibeto-Chinese Buddhist Images and Ritual Implements from the 12th to the 15th century, Zurich 2013, pp.84, no.31.
Information
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