An unusual gilt-bronze figure of Longnu, China, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

elegantly cast with hands draped with a presentation cloth, wearing a short ruyi-decorated coat with tuff trimming at the sleeves, over a long robe with full sleeves and layered skirts trailing ribbons and streamers, the garments finely chased with floral, cloud and wave details, the face cast with crisp features beneath the hair, pulled back into ribbon-tied double loops at the back and ornamented buns at the top, the foot rim incised with the character zuo (left). Height 18 1/4  in., 46.2 cm

Provenance: Private Parisian collection.

Notes: This elegant figure of Longnu, daughter of the Dragon King, would have stood to the left of an image of Guanyin, with a matching figure of Sudhana, known in Chinese as Shancai, on the right. These two youths are considered Guanyin's acolytes, and while there is no scriptural basis for this grouping, the two of them appear together in numerous precious scroll narratives, folk tales and legends concerning Guanyin.

In the Chinese Mahayana tradition, it is believed that the two acolytes each represent one of the important sutras of that tradition. Shancai personifies the Avatamsaka Sutra, while Longnu represents the Lotus Sutra, where she appears in chapter twelve. She is described as being eight years old, but already supremely wise and enlightened. At one point in the narrative to quiet her detractors, she offers her precious pearl to the Buddha to illustrate a point. Buddha accepts it, and immediately, Longnu is transformed into a full-fledged Buddha, right before the eyes of the stunned assembly.

Similar examples have been sold at Christie's New York, 29th March 2006, lot 329; and in these rooms, 18th and 19th March 2014, lot 267.

Sotheby's. Images of Enlightenment: Devotional Works of Art & Paintings New York, 16 sept. 2015