A RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF SAMANTABHADRA RIDING AN ELEPHANT, SONG DYNASTY
Lot 70 - HS1225

Expert’s note: The depiction of the bodhisattva Samantabhadra in bronze follows a long and distinguished artistic tradition, yet extant examples are exceedingly rare. While representations of the deity are known from various periods, most surviving works date to the Ming dynasty, with earlier sculptures seldom preserved. A notable comparison can be found in a Song dynasty bronze figure of Samantabhadra, paired with the bodhisattva Manjushri, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji: Diaosu bian (The Complete Collection of Chinese Art: Sculpture), vol. 5, Beijing, 1989, pls. 153–154. The present example thus represents a rare survival.

China, circa 12^th century. Finely cast, seated in lalitasana on the back of a recumbent elephant, with the left foot resting on a rectangular plinth decorated with a dotted floral pattern. The right knee supports the right hand, while a stack of books rests on the left shoulder. He wears a dhoti falling in elegant folds, and his chest is adorned with a beaded necklace. The face bears a benevolent expression and is surmounted by a pointed headdress.

Provenance: From a French private collection.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear and casting irregularities. Small nicks, dents, stress cracks, obvious warping, soiling, losses to the sword and base. A thick, naturally grown, dark patina.

Weight: 801 g
Dimensions: Height 18.3 cm

Samantabhadra is the bodhisattva associated with the practice of Buddhist teaching and joins Manjushri, the lord of transcendent wisdom, in a trinity with Shakyamuni Buddha. The bodhisattva is borne by a white elephant, symbolic of the strength achieved through the practice of Buddhism. The bronze is typical of the Song dynasty, finely cast and of rich color, and made with elegant reference to antiquity, the heavy and elaborate jewelry and voluminous undulating robes echoing the classical styles of Northern Qi and later Ming sculpture.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Zacke Vienna, 10 March 2023, lot 502
Price: EUR 23,400 or approx. EUR 25,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of samantabhadra riding an elephant, ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, casting manner and face expression. Note the larger size (33.7 cm) and later date.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 15 March 2017 lot 542
Price: USD 56,250 or approx. EUR 65,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of 'watermoon' Guanyin Song dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related casting manner, face expression, and date. Note the different subject