Lot 174. A lacquered bronze figure of Guanyin seated in royal ease, Song dynasty (960-1279), height 16.5 cm. Estimate CHF 5,000 / 8,000 (€4 630 / 7 410). Sold for CHF 15 000 © Koller

Bronze with black lacquer and traces of gilding. The Bodhisattva of Mercy sits loosely lalitasana, the right arm resting on the knee. In the crown she wears Buddha Amithaba, whose emanation he holds. In this attitude, the figure is often referred to as water-moon Guanyin.

Provenance: Swiss private collection, inventorized 2005.

Note: For a very similar piece see the Freer Gallery of Art Washington D.C, inventory no. F1917.17a-b. Published in: H. Muensterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Tokyo 1967, plate 69.

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as the Water Moon Guanyin, Song dynasty, 960-1279. Bronze with gilding, 21.8 x 10.5 x 7.3 cm (8 9/16 x 4 1/8 x 2 7/8 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1917.17a-b © 2017 Smithsonian Institution

Koller. Asian Art: Himalaya, China - Tuesday 13 June 2017