PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Europe

This lot is in the style of Qianlong period’s Han-Tibetan Buddhist figures. In Buddhism, bodhisattva has a lot of incarnations, each one representing an idea of the religion, and acting as expressions of bodhisattva’s passion and wisdom. The special feature of Avalokitesvara is that, different from the dignified and rigid posture of the usual Buddhist figures, Avalokitesvara appears to be free and unrestricted. Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas, often adopted as the topic of Buddhist arts. Different from Mongolian and Tibetan style, this Avalokitesvara has the facial features of a Han person. This figure has round face with full cheeks, smiling lips and down-casted eyes, a pearl necklace adorning her neck, appearing dignified, generous and elegant. The figure’s wearing a kasaya on the upper body and a long skirt the lower half, seated with both of her hands casually embracing her left knee. The gilt-bronze figure is nicely preserved with the skirts draping down naturally.