China, 16^th century. The scarves, jewelry, and crown are glazed turquoise, the hair is glazed black, and the face is detailed with pigment. Exposed areas of flesh are fired in the biscuit to lend a greater naturalism to the figure.

Expert’s note: This impressive statue is a classic example of the vibrant fahua-decorated Buddhist images made at Jingdezhen in the mid-Ming period. Fahua wares have been produced since the 14^th century in the north in Shanxi, during the Yuan dynasty, and in the south at Jingdezhen during the 15^th century. The distinct alkaline glazes of fahua wares were mainly used for large objects and it is likely that the present lot was used in a temple or shrine for many centuries.

Guanyin’s left hand is raised and held in vitarka mudra. She wears billowing scarves and is adorned with a floral necklace. Her serene face shows heavy-lidded downcast eyes, gently curved brows, plump cheeks, and full lips, all framed by long pendulous earlobes and neatly incised hair falling elegantly in strands over the shoulders, tied up into a high chignon behind the foliate tiara, which is centered by a small image of the Buddha Amitabha.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age, with extensive old wear and expected firing flaws, intentional glaze crackling, one finger missing, some glaze flaking, remnants of ancient pigment.

Weight: 9,760 g
Dimensions: Height 55 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related polychrome figure which may represent the Daoist deity Yuan Shi Tian Zun (The Primal Celestial Excellency) of the San Qing (Three Pure Ones), dated to the Ming dynasty, circa 1488-1644, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1930,0719.62. Compare with a closely related sancai Buddha from the Avery Brundage collection, now in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, object number B60P139.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3767
Price: HKD 4,580,000 or approx. EUR 781,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare Ming sancai glazed stoneware figure of Guanyin, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Expert remark: Note the sancai glaze and larger size (89.8 cm).



明代大型法華釉觀音半身像
中國，十六世紀。觀音的飄帶、瓔珞和王冠是綠松石色釉，頭髮施黑色釉，面部彩繪。身體部分為素抷。觀音的左手舉起結安慰印。觀音身披飄帶，戴著瓔珞，面容平靜祥和，眼睛微垂，微彎的眉毛，臉龐豐滿，長耳垂，頭髮優雅披在肩上，葉冠後有高髻，葉冠中央有阿彌陀佛像。

專家注釋：這尊造像可以説是明代中期景德鎮法華佛教造像的經典例子。十四世紀北方山西以及十五世紀南方景德鎮開始生產法華器。法華釉主要用於大型物件，這件造像很可能在寺廟裏使用了多個世紀。

來源：法國古玩交易。
品相：品相極佳，有大量磨損和燒製缺陷，釉面開片和剝落，一根手指缺失，一些釉剝落，顏料殘餘。

重量：9,760 克
尺寸：高 55 厘米

文獻比較：
比較一件相近的1488-1644年明代可能為彩釉元始天尊，收藏於大英博物館，編號1930,0719.62。比較一件非常相近的三彩佛陀，來自 Avery Brundage collection，現藏於舊金山亞洲藝術博物館，編號B60P139。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2011年6月1日，lot 3767
價格：HKD 4,580,000（相當於今日EUR 781,000）
描述：十六世紀明代三彩觀音像
專家評論：請注意三彩和尺寸較大(89.8厘米)。