Lot 478. A fine bronze figure of Manjushri, China, Ming dynasty, 15th-16th century, 40 cm. Estimate 20 000-30 000 €. Photo Nagel

seated in vajrasana on a lotus base with both hands in vitarkamudra, holding each a stem of a lotus which flowers along his upper arms supporting the manuscript and originally the sword, wearing dhoti, its border finely incised with scrolling tendrils, scarf draped around the shoulders, its streamers encircling both arms while the finials fall over the rim of the base, bejewelled, his face displaying a serene expression with downcast eyes below arched eyebrows running into his nose-bridge, smiling lips, elongated earlobes with ear-ornaments, his hair combed in a chignon secured with a tiara decorated with a pair of pattras and a pair of floating ribbons. Wear, slightly chipped.

Property from an old Berlin private collection, bought in the 1980'ies, by descent to the present owner.

Note: A bronze figure of Guanyin dated to the second half of the 15th century and similar to the present lot was sold at Christie's Hong Kong 3rd November 1998, lot 1014; another similar example with a different lotus base, cast with the date 1516, Zhengde Period, was sold at Christie's New York, 21st March 2000, lot 171.

Nagel. Asiatische Kunst. Sale 100, 16.06.2017