4th Jun, 2021 13:00

Fine Japanese Art

 
  Lot 124
 

124

A RARE GILT AND LACQUERED WOOD STATUE OF MONJU BOSATSU ON A KAMAKURA PERIOD BUDDHIST LION

Sold for €8,848

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

Japan, the Bosatsu figure dating from the Edo period (17th to early 18th century), the lion dating from the late Kamakura to earlier Muromachi period (13th-15th century)

Seated in vajrasana on a lotus throne, which itself rests on the back of a ferocious lion standing foursquare and with its mouth wide open. Bosatsu’s left holds a blossoming lotus. He wears a pleated skirt, a shawl on his shoulders, and an elegant scarf across his chest. His serene face with its half-closed eyes, the aquiline nose, the slender mouth, the dominant forehead adorned with an urna, and the hair combed into a high chignon overall show a distinct benevolent expression.

Condition: Significant traces of use, old wear, touchups, age cracks and losses. Possibly minor old replacements. Generally in fine condition, overall commensurate with age.
Provenance: Figure and base each with old collector inventory inscriptions "45010 Bälz" and "45010 Japan Bälz". According to these inscriptions from the ancient collection of Erwin Bälz (1849-1913). Collection of Dr. Erich Junkelmann (1890-1964), Lustheim Castle, Bavaria, by repute acquired from the above. Private collection, Southern Germany, by repute acquired from the above. Erwin Otto Eduard von Bälz (13 January 1849 – 31 August 1913) was a German internist, anthropologist, and the personal physician to the Japanese Imperial Family.

HEIGHT 48.5 cm

The head adorned by a matching gilt-bronze openwork crown, neatly incised and inlaid in glass, all backed by a circular wood halo. Note the distinct ‘Ruyi’ shape of the lion's nose, typical for the period, as well as the original inside-painted glass eyes.

Literature comparison:
Compare the manner of the carving of the Buddhist lion with a closely related example from the Kamakura period in the Nara National Museum, accession no. 1311-0.

Auction comparison:
Compare with a similar Bodhisattva on a Buddhist lion, dated to the Kamakura period (13th-14th century), sold at Christie's, Japanese Art & Design, 16 May 2012, lot 299 (sold for 55,250 GBP). Note particularly the similarities to the Buddhist lion, which clearly dates to the same period as the present example.

 

Japan, the Bosatsu figure dating from the Edo period (17th to early 18th century), the lion dating from the late Kamakura to earlier Muromachi period (13th-15th century)

Seated in vajrasana on a lotus throne, which itself rests on the back of a ferocious lion standing foursquare and with its mouth wide open. Bosatsu’s left holds a blossoming lotus. He wears a pleated skirt, a shawl on his shoulders, and an elegant scarf across his chest. His serene face with its half-closed eyes, the aquiline nose, the slender mouth, the dominant forehead adorned with an urna, and the hair combed into a high chignon overall show a distinct benevolent expression.

Condition: Significant traces of use, old wear, touchups, age cracks and losses. Possibly minor old replacements. Generally in fine condition, overall commensurate with age.
Provenance: Figure and base each with old collector inventory inscriptions "45010 Bälz" and "45010 Japan Bälz". According to these inscriptions from the ancient collection of Erwin Bälz (1849-1913). Collection of Dr. Erich Junkelmann (1890-1964), Lustheim Castle, Bavaria, by repute acquired from the above. Private collection, Southern Germany, by repute acquired from the above. Erwin Otto Eduard von Bälz (13 January 1849 – 31 August 1913) was a German internist, anthropologist, and the personal physician to the Japanese Imperial Family.

HEIGHT 48.5 cm

The head adorned by a matching gilt-bronze openwork crown, neatly incised and inlaid in glass, all backed by a circular wood halo. Note the distinct ‘Ruyi’ shape of the lion's nose, typical for the period, as well as the original inside-painted glass eyes.

Literature comparison:
Compare the manner of the carving of the Buddhist lion with a closely related example from the Kamakura period in the Nara National Museum, accession no. 1311-0.

Auction comparison:
Compare with a similar Bodhisattva on a Buddhist lion, dated to the Kamakura period (13th-14th century), sold at Christie's, Japanese Art & Design, 16 May 2012, lot 299 (sold for 55,250 GBP). Note particularly the similarities to the Buddhist lion, which clearly dates to the same period as the present example.

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