China, 16^th-17^th century. The bodhisattva cast seated in dhyanasana with the right hand holding the end of a willow stem and the left hand holding a cup, dressed in finely cast, loose, flowing robes open at the chest revealing elaborate jewelry, the cuffs and borders of the robes incised with floral borders, the figure's face with downcast eyes, the hair dressed in knotted plaits and topknot, with elongated earlobes suspending ornate earrings, the elaborate tiara centered by a figure of Buddha Amitabha.

Provenance: From a private collection in Florida, United States.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, small nicks, light scratches, rubbing to the gilt, remnants of red pigment, and casting flaws.

Weight: 2.2 kg
Dimensions: Height 20.6 cm

The neatly incised hair falling elegantly in strands over the shoulders and tied up into a high chignon behind the open worked foliate crown centered by a small image of the Buddha Amitabha.

According to the Lotus Sutra, Avalokiteshvara can take any form necessary to save sentient beings. Thirty-three manifestations of Avalokiteshvara are mentioned and are known to have been very popular in Chinese Buddhism as early as the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The present lot depicts the bodhisattva in a manifestation known as Bhaisajyaraja Avalokiteshvara, or the ‘Willow Leaf’ Guanyin in Chinese. In this form, the bodhisattva holds a vial or bowl of elixir in the left and a stalk of willow leaves in the right. The willow has evil dispelling properties and is used to sprinkle the elixir over devotees, which is believed to cure all physical and spiritual illnesses. This iconographic form was popular among devotees wishing for good health.

Buddhist gilt-bronze figures were produced almost from the beginning when Buddhism was embraced by various courts of China’s division after the Han dynasty. Until the Tang dynasty, however, they remained very small. One of the earliest developments away from small votive images took place in the Khitan Liao dynasty, when statues not only became bigger but also developed stylistically towards a more sculptural aesthetic. During the early Ming period the court took complete control of their production, and a distinct classic style was devised that would determine the design of all future Buddhist gilt-bronze images, including the present lot.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1371
Price: USD 25,000 or approx. EUR 32,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-bronze figure of Guanyin, Ming dynasty, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and modeling with similar jewelry, openworked crown, incised robe, and willow stem. Note the slightly larger size (24.5 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams San Franisco, 21 June 2006, lot 3194
Price: USD 14,340 or approx. EUR 21,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small gilt bronze Guanyin, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, modeling, gilding, and size (23 cm). Note this Guanyin holds a different attribute, a scroll.