A RARE GILT-BRONZE VOTIVE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESVARA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, DATED ZHENGGUANG SECOND YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 521 |

the deity modeled standing before a flame-shaped mandorla on a splayed lotus base above a square-form openwork support cast with a mythical beast and floral motifs, all raised on a four-legged plinth, the figure adorned in long flowing robes with hems flaring out to the sides, the right arm raised and holding a lotus stem, the left lowered holding a pendent kundika, the hair swept up into a topknot and framed by a circular halo on the mandorla enclosing radiating lotus petals, the mandorla further decorated with swirling flames extending up to the pointed tip, the reverse incised with seven seated Buddhas, all above an indistinct dedicatory inscription dated to the second year of the Zhengguang period, corresponding to 521

Saburo Matsubara, Zoutei Chugoku Bukkyo Choukoku Shi Kenkyu [Chinese Buddhist Sculpture - A study based on bronze and stone statues other than works from cave temples], Tokyo, 1966, pl. 80 a & b.

In mostly good condition but with minor dents, gouges, and scratches to the surface (especially at the front of the base, as illustrated). Minor corrosion to the bronze (as illustrated), commensurate with age and type. The surface has been cleaned and largely re-gilt, , most of the front of the sculpture, back of stand and in sections along the back and sides of the stand.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Skilfully cast, the image of Avalokitesvara belongs to a group of similar sculptures of standing figures of Maitreya and Avalokitesvara framed against flame-shaped mandorlas. The open two-tiered plinth supporting the present figure is a particularly rare feature. Compare a related figure of Avalokitesvara, dated by inscription to 520, raised on an open square-form support in the Freer Sackler Collection (acc. no. F1909.264). Other dated gilt-bronze figures of Avalokitesvara include one figure, dated to 524, included in the exhibition Rikucho Jidai no Kondobutsu [Gilt bronzes from Six Dynasties], Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts Izumi, Osaka, 1991, cat. no. 59; and another, dated to 519, from the collection of Sakamoto Gorō was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 3211. A related but uninscribed figure of Maitreya was sold in these rooms, 15th September 2010, lot 286.