5th Dec, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
158
A RARE CARVED CYPRESS WOOD FIGURE OF JIZO BOSATSU, HEIAN PERIOD
Sold for €3,380
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, 10th-11th century, Heian period (794-1185)
Finely carved, standing in samabhanga, with the left forearm gently bent forward while the right arm remains close to the body, clad in a loosely draped monastic robe that opens at the chest and cascades in voluminous folds. The rounded face conveying a serene expression, marked by heavy-lidded, downcast eyes beneath gently arched brows, centered by a byakugo (urna), a broad nose, and full lips, all framed by long, pendulous earlobes. The distinctly shaven head further reinforcing his monastic appearance.
With an associated wood stand.
HEIGHT 27.9 cm (figure) and 32.3 cm (total)
Provenance: From a private collection in Hungary.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with ancient wear and natural age-related imperfections. Obvious losses and extensive flaking to pigments, minor repairs and touchups, as is to be expected.
Jizo Bosatsu is a merciful bodhisattva who moves through the Six Realms of existence in his role of saving all sentient beings. These Six Realms, from human to animal, and including Hell, comprise the levels of existence through which we are driven by the forces of karmic retribution, until such time as we achieve enlightenment. Jizo seeks out sufferers to ease their pain. Among Japan’s myriad deities, Jizo is arguably the most widely known, easily recognized and actively venerated even in modern times. He appears as a kindly young monk, with shaven head, no adornments, and dressed in the simple robe of a cleric. His exalted status as a deity is indicated by the urna on his forehead and his long earlobes. In his left hand, he usually holds a pearl-like jewel, called nyoishu (wisdom gem) and in his right a staff with multiple rings used to beat away the demons of hell.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related carved wood figure of Jizo Bosatsu, Heian period, 12th century, 186 cm high, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number FE.14-1972.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related larger carved wood figure of a Bodhisattva, Heian period, 10th century, 119.3 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 11 September 2012, New York, lot 47 (sold for USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 48,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related carved wood figure of Jizo Bosatsu, Heian to Kamakura period, 12th century, 50.4 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 6154 (sold for USD 33,750 or approx. EUR 38,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
Japan, 10th-11th century, Heian period (794-1185)
Finely carved, standing in samabhanga, with the left forearm gently bent forward while the right arm remains close to the body, clad in a loosely draped monastic robe that opens at the chest and cascades in voluminous folds. The rounded face conveying a serene expression, marked by heavy-lidded, downcast eyes beneath gently arched brows, centered by a byakugo (urna), a broad nose, and full lips, all framed by long, pendulous earlobes. The distinctly shaven head further reinforcing his monastic appearance.
With an associated wood stand.
HEIGHT 27.9 cm (figure) and 32.3 cm (total)
Provenance: From a private collection in Hungary.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with ancient wear and natural age-related imperfections. Obvious losses and extensive flaking to pigments, minor repairs and touchups, as is to be expected.
Jizo Bosatsu is a merciful bodhisattva who moves through the Six Realms of existence in his role of saving all sentient beings. These Six Realms, from human to animal, and including Hell, comprise the levels of existence through which we are driven by the forces of karmic retribution, until such time as we achieve enlightenment. Jizo seeks out sufferers to ease their pain. Among Japan’s myriad deities, Jizo is arguably the most widely known, easily recognized and actively venerated even in modern times. He appears as a kindly young monk, with shaven head, no adornments, and dressed in the simple robe of a cleric. His exalted status as a deity is indicated by the urna on his forehead and his long earlobes. In his left hand, he usually holds a pearl-like jewel, called nyoishu (wisdom gem) and in his right a staff with multiple rings used to beat away the demons of hell.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related carved wood figure of Jizo Bosatsu, Heian period, 12th century, 186 cm high, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number FE.14-1972.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related larger carved wood figure of a Bodhisattva, Heian period, 10th century, 119.3 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 11 September 2012, New York, lot 47 (sold for USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 48,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related carved wood figure of Jizo Bosatsu, Heian to Kamakura period, 12th century, 50.4 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 6154 (sold for USD 33,750 or approx. EUR 38,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
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