AN UNUSUAL GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF LONGNU CHINA, MING DYNASTY, 16TH / 17TH CENTURY

elegantly cast with hands draped with a presentation cloth, wearing a short ruyi-decorated coat with tuff trimming at the sleeves, over a long robe with full sleeves and layered skirts trailing ribbons and streamers, the garments finely chased with floral, cloud and wave details, the face cast with crisp features beneath the hair, pulled back into ribbon-tied double loops at the back and ornamented buns at the top, the foot rim incised with the character zuo (left)

Private Parisian collection.

There is a loss to the figure's left hair bun, the left earring, and the tip of the trailing ribbon on the right. There are a number of scattered casting patches throughout the surface, the largest being approximately 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. ( 2 x 3.5 cm) on the right side of the overskirt. There are traces of gold paint on the figure's right sleeve and the pennant hanging down the front of the skirt. There is a rectangular casting flaw on the back hem of the skirt. There are remnants of pigment on the presentation cloth laid on the figure's hands. There is wear to the gilding and minor nicks along the edges and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This elegant figure of Longnu, daughter of the Dragon King, would have stood to the left of an image of Guanyin, with a matching figure of Sudhana, known in Chinese as Shancai, on the right. These two youths are considered Guanyin's acolytes, and while there is no scriptural basis for this grouping, the two of them appear together in numerous precious scroll narratives, folk tales and legends concerning Guanyin.

In the Chinese Mahayana tradition, it is believed that the two acolytes each represent one of the important sutras of that tradition. Shancai personifies the Avatamsaka Sutra, while Longnu represents the Lotus Sutra, where she appears in chapter twelve. She is described as being eight years old, but already supremely wise and enlightened. At one point in the narrative to quiet her detractors, she offers her precious pearl to the Buddha to illustrate a point. Buddha accepts it, and immediately, Longnu is transformed into a full-fledged Buddha, right before the eyes of the stunned assembly.

Similar examples have been sold at Christie's New York, 29th March 2006, lot 329; and in these rooms, 18th and 19th March 2014, lot 267.