A very fine and rare gilt-bronze figure of a seated Avalokiteshvara


17th century Finely cast seated on a rocky outcrop in lalitasana, with a contemplative face with long pendulous ears and beard, crowned with a band around the bald pate, wearing long flowing robes open at the chest, the right hand holding a bell, attired in robes finely incised with floral hems and adorned with beaded jewellery. 14cm (5 1/2in) high.
|十七世紀 銅鎏金男相觀音趺坐像Provenance: Sir William Henry Wilkinson (1858-1930), Consul General in China between 1900 and 1917, and thence by descent來源： William Henry Wilkinson爵士（1858-1930年）收藏，1900至1917年期間任駐華領事，並由後人保存迄今Meticulously cast with elaborate jewellery and intricate floral scrolls decorating the hems of the thin robes, and wearing a slim band around the head, the present figure appears to have been inspired by Buddhist bronzes cast during the 14th century. See, for example, a gilt-bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, 14th century, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated by C.Y.Watt, The World of the Khubilai Khan, New York, fig.149, pp.115; another gilt-bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, 14th century, more similar to the present figure, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 19 March 2007, lot 740. The present figure likely depicts Avalokiteshvara in the manifestation known as 'Southern Seas' Nanhai, as suggested by the rocky pedestal on which he rests, which represents Mount Potalaka.Compare with a related gilt-bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, Ming dynasty, 14th/15th century, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 11 November 2015, lot 198.