A CHINESE BRONZE FIGURE OF KSHITIGARBHA

19TH/20TH CENTURY

Standing in tribhanga wearing a dhoti, a long necklace, a pair of arm bands and an elaborate tiara over a high chignon, holding a large fruit in his left hand, with traces of cold painted decoration to the hair and the jewels, raised on a double lotus throne, 50cm, 7kg.

Provenance: formerly a private collection in Barcelona.

This group of sculptures most likely imitate the 11th/12th-century Nepalese form of Maitreya, who holds a waterpot instead of a fruit. Cf. Christie's New York, 23rd/24th June 1983, lot 420, for a closely related figure. See also C Pascalis, La Collection Tibetaine, Hanoi 1935, pl.III for the 10th century version of this figure.