A RARE AND LARGE GILT-LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF A BODHISATVA 17TH CENTURY

seated over a ledge in lalitasana, the left hand raised in vitarkamudra, the right in dhyanamudra, wearing a long robe cascading in ample folds around the arrns and lower body, the rounded serene face with high arched brows over down-cast eyes, a strong nose and bud-like mouth, the tightly combed black hair swept back and secured by a simple banded crown

The figure is in good overall condition with the exception of light age cracks to the wood and lacquer and flaking and restoration, including but not limited to: horizontal cracks running across the waist and left knee, and chest, areas of flaking to the lacquer (to the top of the right foot, a 5x3cm., area to the right knee, a 5x1cm., area at the chest, a 2 x 0.5cm., area at the elbow of right arm, a 5x4cm. area to lower back edge of robe), repair to the fingers on both hands, repair and damage around the wrist of the right hand, repair and overpainting to the left sleeve, and repair and overpainting to the top and back of the head, and refreshing to the red decoration on the robe.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Compare a related figure sold at Christie's London, 5^th December 1994, lot 308; and a smaller version seated with crossed legs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Alan Priest, Chinese Sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1944, pl. CXXVIII. A comparable but smaller figure was sold at Christie's New York, 27^th June 1984, lot 297; and another with crossed legs was sold in our Los Angeles rooms, 13^th October 1975, lot 161.

Ming gilded lacquer figures of this type became inspiration for figures made in the Qing dynasty; see a set of sixteen gilded lacquer luohan figures, all depicted in a seated position, sold in our New York rooms, 27th March 2003, lot 16.