Lot 2904. A gilt-decorated and enamelled figure of Avalokitesvara, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century; 11 3⁄4 in. (29.8 cm.) high. Price realised HKD 187,500 (Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000).© Christie's 2021

The figure is well-modelled kneeling on a circular lotus petal base with both hands raised in front of the chest bejewelled with long tasselled necklaces, the lower body and the shoulders are covered in loose robes decorated with dragon roundels, birds and scrolling tendrils. The rounded face has a graceful smiling expression below the large crown, covered overall in a brownish-red, gilt and light blue enamel.

Note: The present figure with its arms raised in a gesture of offering is extremely rare amongst Buddhist images of the Qing period. It appears the inspiration of this unusual posture is modelled after gilt bronze originals from the Xuande period in the Ming dynasty, where it might have been copied from earlier Tang dynasty figures. Compare the present figure with a kneeling figure holding the arms in the same pose of offering and dated to the Xuande period from the Collection of Berti Ashmann Foundation, now in the collection of the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, illustrated in On the Path to Enlightenment, 1995, p. 122, no. 72.

A nearly identical figure dated to the Qianlong period is illustrated by I. L. Legeza, A Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Malcolm MacDonald Collection of Chinese Ceramics in the Gulbenkian Museum of Oriental Art and Archaeology, London, 1972, p. 79, no. 384. A group of three related polychrome and gilt decorated figures of Shakyamuni from the 18th century, each with their hands held in different mudras, are in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Monarchy and its Buddhist Way: Tibetan-Buddhist Ritual Implements, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1999, no. 23.

Compare to a very similarly decorated figure with the same gesture, sold at Christie’s New York, 22-23 March 2012, lot 2124. Another kneeing figure of Avalokitesvara with the same decoration was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 April 2002, lot 539.