STATUE DE MANJUSHRI EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ
DYNASTIE QING, PÉRIODE KANGXI (1662-1722)
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4858
13.2 cm (5 1/4 in.) high
Footnotes:
A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

清 康熙（1662-1722年）銅鎏金文殊菩薩像

Provenance:
With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s

Retaining the hilt of the sword he uses to cut through ignorance, this serene sculpture depicts Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Perfected Wisdom. He is adorned with a crown, jewelry, and fine silks consisting of a scarf flowing in and around his shoulders and a lower garment with carefully incised floral hems.

Like the Yuan and Ming dynasties, the Manchus of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) continued state sponsorship of Tibetan Buddhism as a way to legitimize and consolidate their rule in China, Mongolia, and Tibet. Forming a teacher-and-disciple relationship with the Gelug Order, the Qing emperors of the 17th and 18th centuries were viewed as the living incarnations of Manjushri, and images such as the present lot were likely made for one of the many Buddhist temples constructed under their imperial patronage.

A closely related gilt bronze Manjushri of similar size, although with necklaces that would indicate it was cast after Kangxi period, was sold at Sotheby's, Paris, 23 June 2016, lot 160.

Excellent overall condition. Loss of the original sword blade and attribute in the left hand. Cold gold decoration across the face and neck. Flaking in areas as evident in the images. Original base plate intact and undisturbed.

Please contact Sidney Lee (sidney.lee@bonhams.com) for related condition report images.