Fine Chinese Paintings & Works of Art - 1st July 2020
Lot 128
A SMALL CHINESE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSRI 18TH CENTURY The bodhisattva cast seated in...
Estimate £4,000 - £6,000 | Hammer £4000
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Description
A SMALL CHINESE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSRI
18TH CENTURY
The bodhisattva cast seated in dhyanasana wielding a sword in one hand, his other hand is held in kartari mudra and clasps a lotus stem which supports a book, he wears a dhoti and a long flowing scarf that flutters by his sides, his crown, earrings and body jewellery set with coloured jewels, all raised on a lotus base incised with two characters, with the baseplate lacking and prayers visible to the interior, 10.1cm, 437g.
Cf. Sotheby's New York, 17th September 2014, lot 455 for a very similar 18th century figure of Manjusri.
Manjusri represents transcendent wisdom and it is believed that his purpose on Earth is to save people from ignorance. The lotus flower supporting a scripture in his right hand symbolises the knowledge of the Buddha, whilst his sword represents the need to cut down ignorance and darkness.