A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE BODHISATTVA SAMANTABHADRA MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

depicting the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, cast seated in dhyanasana holding a ruyi-head sceptre in the left and right hands, wearing a long floral-edged robe falling in folds around the legs and open at the chest to reveal elaborate ruyi beaded jewellery, the serene face with downcast eyes below high arched brows and a small smiling bud mouth, all framed by a high pierced five-pointed ruyi headress with the hair falling down around the shoulders, the face, chest, hands and feet gilt, all supported on a separate pierced and cast lotus and ruyi pedestal base 

Christie’s London, 10th April 1984, lot 281.
Spink and Son, London, 1985 (by repute).

The figure and stand are in good condition with the exception of some old patching, possibly at the time of casting, to the rear of the figure including across the shoulder and down the right side of the back, minor casting flaws and pitting, minor loss to the tips of three of the lotus on the stand, and light rubbing and loss to the gilded decoration.
"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."

Notable for its impressive size, this figure of the bodhisattva Samatabhadra portrays the deity in sinicised form, as evident in the facial features and the intricate headdress. Furthermore, the bodhisattva is shown holding a ruyi sceptre, a talisman associated with Daoism that was generally presented to bestow good fortune in Chinese imagery. Dressed in princely robes and wearing a jewelled crown, this sculptural style began to emerge during the mid to late Ming dynasty, and is still the form of Samatabhadra popular in East Asian today, where the bodhisattva is known as Puxian. 

Figures of Samanabhadra holding a ruyi sceptre are unusual although a similar example, but of smaller size, was sold in these rooms, 11th June 1996, lot 141; and another, but lacking the lotus flower stand, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 16th January 1989, lot 305. Compare also a larger figure of Vairocana, modelled with related facial features and stand, from the collection of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, sold in our New York rooms, 7th-11th October 1975, lot 236A; another sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st June 2011, lot 3770; and a figure of Guanyin, sold in our New York rooms, 16th March 1984, lot 138.

The bodhisattva of compassion, Samathabhadra is considered the manifestation of dharmakaya, the source of all things and the essence to which all things return, and the first of the Five Dhyani Bodhisattvas. He is the companion of Manjusri, the Lord of Wisdom, and is commonly portrayed on the right of Shakyamuni Buddha. According to legend, he arrived in China on an elephant and rested on Mount Emei in Sichuan province, which is believed to be his sanctuary.