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Lot
Number
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B000024 |
| Lot
Title |
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Chinese Bronze Figure of a Bodhisattva, Seated Guanyin |
| Date
of Origin |
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Ming Dynasty |
| Country
of Origin |
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China |
| Material
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Bronze |
| Measurements |
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96 x 52 cm |
| Lot
Quantity |
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1 |
| Estimate |
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| Description:
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This Guanyin statue is in her solemn appearance, benign and peaceful. I was immediately attracted by her style of being seated in the vajraparyankasana. The owner said this statue was bought decades ago from China, and emphasized there are casted characters on the back of the Buddha. I carefully observed into the statue and found skin residual, cover membrane, and bronze oxygenized marks are all very manifest, it is really a very rare and scarce bronze Buddha.
The owner was quite insisted in price and won¡¦t lower any. On the other hand, he kept saying this statue is really affinity to me, and if I do dream of her then I should come back again and bring her back with me. I walked back and forth several times, and really like it very much, but the owner still won¡¦t lower the price. I measured the statue, she is 96 cm in height including draping down robe, really magnificent.
Next day, I intentionally waited until it was almost the close hour then dropped by the place, was hoping the owner would reduce the price for the close of day deal, but still in vain. The owner said actually several people were very interested in this statue, and really hard for him to lower the price. Sitting there arguing price with the owner, still won¡¦t work, and couple guys were on the side showing interest and keeping asking questions. Firming up my mind, and gave a great offer, finally the owner decided to sell to me, and generously gave me one crystal ball so I can put the ball right on Buddha¡¦s hands.
This Guanyin statue is quite heavy, and made of bronze. The color tone is calm and peaceful, around 20 KG and 96 cm. She is seated in the vajraparyankasana, wearing leaves shape crown with a Buddha - Amitabha in the center of crown, that is very important identity symbol of Guanyin. Bound hair falling down to the shoulder and split into 3 bundles. Ears almost reach shoulders, high forehead and rich cheeks showing an appearance of benevolent face and serene expression. Both hands show in the mudra of meditation (dhyana-mudra). Her upper body is dressed in a double-collar rope incised with delicate design and covering both shoulders, while the rope also draping down naturally to lower body, adorned with multiple jeweled necklace, and limbs with bracelets, very real and realistic.
On the back of the Buddha statue, there are engraved with 8 rows and 49 characters. Some characters cannot be read clearly, but from left to right, the gist is telling people where was this made, how was this made (the monks asked workers to make), period, and time (around April to June) to make, it is very rare and scarce. (Due to the format setting, please see detail Chinese characters in Chinese Description section).
Respectfully carrying the Buddha back home, under the spot light, I was admirably observing this Buddha statue. Suddenly, I noticed there were many places with dust on the Buddha, so I prepared brushes right away, trying to wipe off dust, but no matter how hard I tried, I just could not clean the dust away, I figured that must be long stand residual which was very hard to take away. I then decided to put the Buddha back to the place and waited till some other day when I have more time to deal with it. However, a while later, I smelled a very pleasant scent coming from no where. I carefully searched where the scent came from, and finally found the sandalwood like scent actually came out from the Buddha statue, I then realized that those dust I tried hard to brush away was actually incense lump gathered through years. This must be a Buddha highly worshipped by the people in one big temple. After days and nights incensed adoration, and accumulated the scent to lump and attached to the Buddha body. After I unintentionally brushed the body, then the scent came out again, such a great treasure.
Postscript: looking for a long time, I finally found a Ming style Mahogany wood table as platform, covered with royal yellow silk textile, and respectfully put the Guanyin on top of it, She looks more solemn and compassionate on the platform. This Guanyin actually brings me many other great Buddha later on, I am really enjoying and happy about this. |
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| Condition
and Additional Specification: |
The bronze is in an excellent state of preservation. While the high points of the bronze are somewhat rubbed, as can easily be seen in the photos, most of the original color remains. The details are incised and well delineated. There is some minor encrustation under the base, and on the recessed areas in the back of the sculpture.
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