Scientific Analysis Report: The result of a radiocarbon dating test (C14) conducted by Re. S. Artes, no. R 145632A-1a, 13 January 2025, based on one sample taken from behind the right ear, is consistent with the dating of the present lot. Specifically, the report states that “from these results, we can determine that the tree that gave the raw material of the head of the sculpture would have been most probably cut during the period 1659 – 1807 (probability of 80.3%).”

Published & Exhibited : Michael B. Weisbrod, Inc., New York, USA, catalogue pages 34-37, lot no. 9. The catalogue text attributes this lot to the Song dynasty.

China. Seated in dhyanasana with the hands lowered in dhyana mudra above the lap, the Avalokiteshvara is dressed in loose-fitting robes cascading in richly carved folds framing the shoulders and tied at the chest. The face with a serene expression marked by downcast eyes, gently arched brows, and full lips forming a calm smile. The hair pulled up into a high chignon behind the elaborate tiara centered by a small and finely carved Buddha Amitabha surrounded by foliate scroll. The reverse with a large rectangular aperture, originally filled with sacred contents.

Provenance: Collection of J. Abraham Cohen, New York, United States. Michael B. Weisbrod, New York, United States. Michael B. Weisbrod is a noted scholar of Chinese art, who has published extensively on the subject over a time span of more than 50 years. In 1972, Michael joined his father Dr. Gerald Weisbrod’s Asian art gallery in Toronto, Canada. The father-and-son team opened their New York location on Madison Avenue in 1977, and during the next 45 years the gallery held a significant number of exhibitions, selling to museums and private collectors across the globe, eventually adding further locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Condition: Overall condition commensurate with age, showing old wear, natural imperfections including expected age cracks and splits as well as signs of insect activity, old plugs to the chest and upper back possibly inherent to the manufacture, signs of weathering, small repairs, touchups, remnants of gilt, flaking and losses to pigments. Overall presenting splendidly.

Weight: 41.6 Kg
Dimensions: Height 103 cm

This finely carved figure of Guanyin retains all of the grace, robust power and majesty seen in earlier examples of Tang, Song, and Jin dynasty date. Wooden sculptures of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, which experienced a peak of popularity in and shortly after the Song period, are among the most enchanting Chinese sculptures. The present figure exemplifies the aesthetic sensitivity of this period, when the deity, despite being depicted genderless, was radiating feminine grace. Without losing anything of their divine aura, sculptures of Buddhist deities in this period acquired a more approachable presence, and sculptors were able to display the excellence of their craft in rendering emotions through features and poses.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 10 May 2016, lot 27
Price: GBP 50,000 or approx. EUR 89,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large polychrome wood figure of Guanyin, 15^th-17^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related manner of carving but different pose. Note the smaller size (91.5 cm) and that this figure also came with a C14 test dating it from the 15^th to the 17^th century.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 24 September 2021, lot 778
Price: USD 193,750 or approx. EUR 215,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large polychrome wood figure of Guanyin, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar pose and expression. Note the slightly larger size (115 cm) and earlier dating.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 2013, lot 1196
Price: USD 183,750 or approx. EUR 239,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large wood figure of a seated bodhisattva, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar pose and expression. Note the near identical size (108 cm) and earlier dating.