A blanc-de-Chine figure of Guanyin - Circa 1680-1690

Modelled wearing a cowl and loose robes tied with a cincture, holding a ruyi sceptre in her right hand, to her left stands a diminutive attendant clad in a belted habit, all beneath a greyish-white glaze. 30.6cm (12in) high - Estimate: £1,000 - 2,000

Footnote: For a similar figure of a lady and attendant from Burghley House, Stamford, see G. Lang, The wrestling boys: Catalogue of the Exhibition of Chinese and Japanese Ceramics from the 16th to the 18th Century in the Collection at Burghley House, 1984, Catalogue no. 240.

This piece appears to have Roman Catholic influence and is reminiscent of figures of the Madonna. The small figure could represent a Christian monk wearing a habit.

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 12 May 2008. New Bond Street