A TALL JAPANESE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU

A TALL JAPANESE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU
POSSIBLY ASUKA PERIOD (538-710)

The Bodhisattva of Mercy is depicted standing on a double-lotus throne, holding a jewel in her hands; she wears a tenne draped over her forearms and beaded jewellery; her headdress features the image of Amida Nyorai; 37.8cm.

The pose is reminiscent of the Guze Kannon figure in the Yumenodo Pavilion, Horyu-ji, Ikaruga, Nara, dated to the early 7th century. Also, see the Tokyo National Museum, access. n-167, for another comparable Asuka-period figure holding a sacred jewel.