13th Jun, 2025 10:00

Fine Japanese Art

 
  Lot 165
 

165

A PAIR OF GILT-LACQUERED WOOD FIGURES DEPICTING MONJU AND FUGEN BOSATSU, EDO PERIOD

Sold for €5,850

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Each seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne raised on a hexagonal plinth supported by their respective vehicle the lion and elephant atop a flat oblong base, dressed in loose robes covering the left shoulder and the legs, the serene face with downcast eyes and byakugo inlaid in crystal, the hair tied in an elaborate chignon behind a hokan (metal crown), backed by a circular kohai (aureole).

HEIGHT 61 cm (each)

Condition: Very good condition with old wear, minor losses to accoutrements and tiaras, rubbing and flaking to gilt and lacquer, few natural age cracks and splits, the animal mounts with few small chips to exposed areas and few minor touchups to lacquer.

Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri), seated on a blue shishi (Buddhist lion) is the Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom and Beautiful Splendor. Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra), riding a white elephant, is the Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness, Virtue, and Worthiness. While Monju is often represented and worshiped individually, Fugen usually appears in a triad to the right of Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha).

Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood sculpture of Fugen Bosatsu on an elephant, dated 1710, 80 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 14 September 2010, New York, lot 6141 (estimate USD 15,000).

 

Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Each seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne raised on a hexagonal plinth supported by their respective vehicle the lion and elephant atop a flat oblong base, dressed in loose robes covering the left shoulder and the legs, the serene face with downcast eyes and byakugo inlaid in crystal, the hair tied in an elaborate chignon behind a hokan (metal crown), backed by a circular kohai (aureole).

HEIGHT 61 cm (each)

Condition: Very good condition with old wear, minor losses to accoutrements and tiaras, rubbing and flaking to gilt and lacquer, few natural age cracks and splits, the animal mounts with few small chips to exposed areas and few minor touchups to lacquer.

Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri), seated on a blue shishi (Buddhist lion) is the Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom and Beautiful Splendor. Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra), riding a white elephant, is the Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness, Virtue, and Worthiness. While Monju is often represented and worshiped individually, Fugen usually appears in a triad to the right of Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha).

Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood sculpture of Fugen Bosatsu on an elephant, dated 1710, 80 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 14 September 2010, New York, lot 6141 (estimate USD 15,000).

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