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A superb and rare Imperial Chinese gilt-bronze figure of…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
21-Nov-2011
Lot No.
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Description:
A superb and rare Imperial Chinese gilt-bronze figure of Avalokitesvara, Xuande mark and period, 1426-1435, the jewelled and crowned Bodhisattva seated in 'Lalitasana', on a double-lotus throne, with one foot resting on a lotus flower, the right hand in 'Varada' mudra, a tiny image of Amitabha within the Crown, each hand holding a fully opened lotus, adorned with beaded necklaces, pendant earrings and bracelets, the throne engraved with a six character mark, the gilt base sealed with an incised visavajra 26.5 cm high, base 17 cm wide. See 'Mind Transforming Treasures, a Selection of 100 Buddhist Works of Art', Chung Tai Museum, 2009, cat no 18, pp72, colour plate p73 for an almost identical figure: also see Sotheby's Hk, 7/10/2010, 'Ming Imperial Bronzes?, Lot 2145 For Another Almost Identical Figure; Also Von Schroeder 'Buddhist Sculpture in Tibet' Vol two: 'Tibet and China', pl 359B, pages 1282-83 for an almost identical figure of Avalokitesvara, Xuande period, (25.3 cm) This collection was formed by descendants of the Australian vendor, whose great-great grandfather was based in Peking and Shanghai between 1850-1870, where he held a high diplomatic position and it would have been at this time that he acquired the important Chinese artworks in this collection.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Oriental: Bronze