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Lot 66

Standing Bodhisattva Late Qing Dynasty

Live — closing Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET

Estimate
$600–$1,200
Starting bid
$180
Bid on this lot

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About this lot

Country of Origin: China

Period: Attributed Late Qing Dynasty–Republic Period, late 19th to early 20th century

Artist: Anonymous Chinese workshop

Title: Standing Bodhisattva, Likely Guanyin

Medium: Polychromed modeled composition, likely clay/stucco, over an internal support or armature, with a white plaster/gesso-type preparation layer; mounted on a wooden display base

Dimensions: Approx. 40 x 14 x 14 in.

Condition: Antique condition with extensive age related surface wear. Scattered paint and surface losses, flaking, abrasions, chips and areas of exposed white preparation layer and underlying tan composition. Cracking and losses are present throughout. Surviving polychromy includes red, yellow, blue, dark and gold toned decoration. Wooden display base appears to be a later mounting. Condition is consistent with the fragile nature of polychromed modeled sculpture; no restoration history is known.

Additional Information: Large Chinese polychromed devotional sculpture depicting a standing bodhisattva, likely Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara). The figure is modeled with a serene oval face, downcast almond shaped eyes, arched brows and elongated earlobes, with the hair gathered into a high chignon beneath an elaborate floral diadem. The bodhisattva wears layered celestial scarves, necklaces and ornamental jewelry, with remnants of red, yellow, blue, dark and gold toned painted decoration surviving across the figure.

The sculpture appears to have been produced by a built up modeling process rather than carved from stone. Existing losses reveal a pale chalky preparation layer over a darker tan structural material, while the mounting area shows evidence of an internal support or armature. This type of layered construction is consistent with established traditions of Chinese polychromed religious sculpture, although the precise composition of the structural core cannot be determined.

Stylistically, the elongated standing form, rocky support, elaborate jewelry, high chignon and floral crown relate closely to large Chinese bodhisattva sculptures catalogued from the late Qing Dynasty through the Republic period. The absence of a clearly identifiable surviving attribute prevents an absolutely certain identification as Guanyin.

Lot details

Lot
66
Category
Antiques and Fine Art Auction
Estimate
$600–$1,200
Starting bid
$180
Bids
0
Bidding closes
Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET
Starting bid $180
Bid on this lot

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