Statue acéphale de Guanyin de la dynastie Liao, Chine, Xe siècle - XIIe siècle. Photo KOHN

Basalte. H. 175,3 cm. Estimation : 120 000 € / 150 000 €

LIAO BASALT STATUE OF A STANDING GUANYIN, China, Circa: 10th to 12th century AD

Basalt. Dimension: 69’’ high

An exquisitely sculpted grey basalt torso of a Bodhisattva (‘enlightened being’) standing frontally with legs joined on a low pedestal. He holds a jar with lotus buds between his palms at chest level. The outer robe, known as the sanghati, covers both shoulders and descends in delicate folds. The monumental scale of the statue allowed the sculptor to carve the drapery and scarves in fine detail. The Khitan were an ancient nomadic tribe that lived in north-eastern China. The name ‘Liao’ comes from the valley of the Liao river where they originally lived. They were brought under Chinese rule during the Tang dynasty. In 907 AD when the Tang collapsed, a Khitan chieftain established the empire of Liao. They ruled north- eastern China contemporaneously with the Five Dynasties and later with the Northern Song. The Liao were important patrons of Buddhism. The pacifism of Buddhism and the assimilation of Chinese wealth and cultural elements gradually weakened the Liao’s oncemilitary character. In 1125 AD the Song army annihilated the Liao.

KOHN. Collection Fayez Barakat, Antiques, Art Islamique, Art Précolombien ..., le 23 Juin 2014 à 17h. HÔTEL LE BRISTOL – SALON CASTELLANE, 112 RUE DU FAUBOURG SAINT HONORÉ – 75008 PARIS. Tel: +33 (0) 1 44 18 73 00.