Lot 1303. A rare and unusual gilt-bronze tantric figure of Avalokitesvara, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century; 12¼ in. (31.1 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 56,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

Shown seated in dhyanasana with the principal pair of hands in abhiseka mudra and eight further pairs of hands extended and holding various objects, including an axe,phurbu, elixir bottle, wheel of law and lotus flower, dressed in long flowing robes open at the chest to expose an elaborate necklace and waist-tied dhoti, the face cast with serene expression, the elongated earlobes set with jewelled earrings and the hair pulled up into a tall coiffure behind the five-point crown, each tier set with a figure of Sakyamuni Buddha.

Provenance: Acquired in the 1960s-70s.

Note: Compare a similar bronze figure of the eighteen-armed Avalokitesvara from the collection of Warren Cox, illustrated by H. Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Japan, 1967, no. 71, where the author notes that the figure exhibits tantric influence and its multiple arms reflect Indian iconography.