明永樂 銅文殊菩薩坐像 《大明永樂年施》款

assis en vajrasana sur une double base lotiforme, le torse légèrement incliné vers la droite, la main gauche en vitarka mudra, la main droite levée près de la tête, vêtu d'un dhoti et richement paré de bijoux, le visage serein sous un diadème à rubans, marque à six caractères Da Ming Yongle nianshi incisée sur la base (partiellement effacée), traces de dorure

The figure was once mounted as a lamp and as a result has a small hole to the top of her head where the chignon would be, another small hole to the back of the head where the the crown joins the hair, and to the back of the lotus base where there is a small hole to the lower lotus leaf band and the pearl border and another hole to the rim underneath it. The figure has lost most of its fire-gilding but some minute particules of gilding can be seen in the recesses of the casting. There is what may be a casting flaw to part of the back of the figure. The chignon and most of the raised bits of the crown are broken off and missing as is the figure's right hand. On the left side of the figure there is a ca. 3cm long old crack extending from the rim of the base upwards and then forking into two cracks in the form of a T (visible from the inside). The shawl wound behind her elbow may have been made separately and there the shawl hanging down her legs on the figure's left hand side has an old break. The mark is visible and there is a ca. 1cm wide shallow casting flaw to the right of it. The figure has a beautiful expression, is crisply cast with fine details.
"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."