An inscribed gilt bronze seated figure of Shadakshari Lokeshvara, Kangxi period, dated to 1680. Sold for US$ 185,000 (€165,119). Photo: Bonhams.

Cast with his two principal hands in namaskaramudra, the raised left hand holding the remains of a lotus stalk and the right hand a single drilled jewel as he sits dhyanasana on a double lotus plinth trimmed with pearl bands and fronted by the lower edges of his shoulder scarf, his slender body draped in princely jewelry, his head encircled by a five-peaked crown and a seated Buddha fronting his tall chignon; the front top edge of the base inscribed Namo Guanshiyin Pusa and the back inscribed Da Qing Kangxi gengshen nian zheng yue chu shi ri cheng (completed on the first ten days of the first month of the gengshen year [1680] during the Kangxi reign of the Great Qing); the base unsealed, but showing the remains of red lacquer and chisel marks along the foot pad. 7 7/8in (19.5cm) high

Property formerly in the Collection of Erich A. Heinrichs, Chicago, IL 

Notes: Dated bronze images from the Kangxi reign appear to be rare: for another gilt bronze figure of Shadakshari dated 14th year of Kangxi (1675), see Christie's, New York, sale 1115, 19 September 2002, lot 175 (7in, 17.7cm high). See also the gilt bronze Guanyin on lotus-topped plinth dated cyclically to 1698 in Sotheby's London, sale 16 May 2012, lot 234 (7 7/8in, 20cm high).

Dr. Erich A. Heinrichs was a PhD. Chemist with his degree from the Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany. After graduation in the early 1930s, he took a position with the Fuji Film Company in Japan and relocated to Asia. Accompanied by his wife, Tamara, they enjoyed Asian culture and became fluent in the language. It was during this time that Dr. Heinrichs likely acquired the Shadakshari Lokeshvara (lot 7088). The couple also took interest in Noh theater, and netsuke collecting became a major interest as well as ikebana, the study of Japanese flower arranging. The couple was forced to stay in Japan by the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1951 they emigrated to the United States, bringing the collection with them. Erich went on to enjoy a long career with the HB Fuller Co., greatly enjoying the items which he collected during his time in Asia until his passing at the age of 95 in 1999.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART AND PAINTINGS, 23 Jun 2015 10:00 PDT - SAN FRANCISCO