Lot 267. A parcel-gilt-bronze figure of Vishnu seated on Garuda, Qianlong seven-character mark in a horizontal line and of the period (1736-1795); 9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000. Price realised GBP 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019. 

The finely cast figure depicts the four-armed Vishnu seated astride Garuda, with one leg in rajalilasana, the right hand in karana mudra. The front of the base bears the inscription 'Da Qing Qianlong nian jing zao', 'devotedly made during the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing', while the bottom of the base is incised with 'Bian ru tian' (another name for Vishnu). The reverse of the base is incised with 'de xing gen ben', which can be translated as 'the foundation of virtuous conduct'.