Lot 107. A rare gilt-bronze figure of Manjushri, Xuande incised six-character presentation mark and of the period (1426-1435); 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 80,000 - GBP 120,000. Price realised GBP 100,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020

The figure is cast seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with four arms. The upper right hand is wielding a sword above his head and the lower left hand is holding a lotus stem. The body is richly covered with elaborate jewellery chains and a dhoti gathered in folds around the crossed legs. The face is shown with downcast eyes and the head is adorned with a floral diadem just in front of the high chignon. The lotus base is incised with the presentation mark reading Da Ming Xuande nianshi, ‘Bestowed in the Great Ming Xuande Period’.

Note: Although examples bearing a Yongle presentation mark of this four-armed emanation of the Manjusri are known, no other figure inscribed with a Xuande presentation mark appears to have been published. Compare with published Yongle-marked examples such as the figure in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Buddhism Art and Faith, 1985, no. 308; in the Berti Aschmann Foundation of Tibetan Art, illustrated in On the Path to Enlightenment, 1995, no. 67; in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, illustrated in Wisdom and Compassion, 1996, no. 30 and formerly in the Speelman Collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7 October 2006, lot 804.

Christie's. Important Chinese Art, London, 3 November 2020