11th Oct, 2023 11:00

THREE-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism

 
Lot 191
 

191

A SILVER FIGURE OF AVALOKITESHVARA IN ROYAL EASE, FIRST HALF OF THE QING DYNASTY
清朝上半葉觀音自在姿銀橡

Sold for €3,900

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

China, late 17th - 18th century. Seated in royal ease, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, is raising his right hand in kamajayi mudra and supporting himself on the separately cast rockwork base above crashing waves with his left. Robed in a finely cast voluminous dhoti with a beaded hem and a cloth belt tied at the waist. His serene face with sinuously lidded downcast eyes below gently arched brows, the mouth with bow-shaped lips, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair piled up into a jatamakuta adorned with floral blossoms and elegantly falling in twisted strands down his shoulders. (2)

Provenance: UK trade.
Condition: Excellent condition with expected old wear and minor casting flaws, a few small nicks, and minimal tarnishing to the silver. Possibly once with inlays that are now lost.

Weight: 762.3 g
Dimensions: Height 13.1 cm

Please click here to read the full description

The present figure is hollow-cast in two parts, statue and base, and is made entirely from silver of a high purity, showing fine and detailed incision work. It shares the physical proportions, sensuous plasticity, and exquisite modeling that normally characterizes sculptures from ancient India, which certainly served as an inspiration. The excellent polish of the surface shows the hand of a highly experienced silversmith, indicating a possible connection to the Imperial workshops in Beijing.

The Kamajayi Mudra involves pressing the thumb against the index finger of the same hand while allowing the other fingers to remain in a relaxed and slightly curled position. This mudra serves to control desires and cravings and it promotes the awakening of spiritual energy. It is seldomly found on Buddhist statues of the period, and may have been depicted here for a specific reason, possibly in connection with the original recipient of this figure.

Literature comparison:
Compare a Tibetan silver figure of Vajradhara, 16.5 cm high, dated to the 15th century, in the Art Institute of Chicago, reference number 2014.1031. Compare a Nepalese silver figure of Tara, dated c. 1900, in the Powerhouse Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Sydney, object number 2014/132/25.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 78
Estimate: HKD 700,000 or approx. EUR 89,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver figure of Marici, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the related Buddhist subject, silver casting, incision work and modeling. Note the size (18.5 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2016, lot 559
Estimate: HKD 90,000 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver figure of a female attendant
Expert remark: Compare the related silver hollow-casting and detailed modeling. Note that this statue is from the Carl Kempe collection and also dates from the earlier part of the Qing dynasty.

点此阅读中文翻译 (Chinese Translation)

清朝上半葉觀音自在姿銀橡
中國,十七世紀末至十八世紀。觀音菩薩自在坐,舉起右手,左手支撐在岩石上,身著精美長袍,下擺飾有串珠瓔珞。面容平靜安詳,雙眸低垂,長耳垂。頭髮束成高髻,優雅地盤繞在肩上。(2)

來源:英國古玩交易。
品相:狀況良好,有磨損和輕微的鑄造缺陷,一些小刻痕,小污漬使銀失去光澤。可能曾經有鑲嵌物,但現已丟失。

重量:762.3 克
尺寸:高 13.1 厘米

本尊為空心鑄造,分為雕像和底座兩部分,全部由高純度的白銀製成,切口精細。 它具有印度雕塑比例、精緻的造型。 表面的拋光顯示了製作精良,表明可能與北京的皇家作坊有關。

文獻比較:
比較一件的十五世紀西藏觀音銀像,高16.5 釐米,收藏於芝加哥藝術博物館,館藏編號2014.1031。比較一件約1900年尼泊爾度母銀像,收藏於雪梨應用藝術與科學博物館的動力博物館,館藏編號 2014/132/25。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港邦瀚斯,2018年10月2日,lot 78
估價:HKD 700,000(相當於今日EUR 89,500
描述:乾隆時期銀質積光佛母像
專家評論:比較相近的佛陀主題、銀鑄造、雕刻和模型 。請注意尺寸 (18.5 釐米)。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港蘇富比,2016年12月1日,lot 559
估價:HKD 90,000(相當於今日EUR 12,000
描述:銀製女像
專家評論:比較相近的銀製空心鑄造和細節。請注意此像來自Carl Kempe收藏,以及亦為清代前期。
 

China, late 17th - 18th century. Seated in royal ease, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, is raising his right hand in kamajayi mudra and supporting himself on the separately cast rockwork base above crashing waves with his left. Robed in a finely cast voluminous dhoti with a beaded hem and a cloth belt tied at the waist. His serene face with sinuously lidded downcast eyes below gently arched brows, the mouth with bow-shaped lips, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair piled up into a jatamakuta adorned with floral blossoms and elegantly falling in twisted strands down his shoulders. (2)

Provenance: UK trade.
Condition: Excellent condition with expected old wear and minor casting flaws, a few small nicks, and minimal tarnishing to the silver. Possibly once with inlays that are now lost.

Weight: 762.3 g
Dimensions: Height 13.1 cm

Please click here to read the full description

The present figure is hollow-cast in two parts, statue and base, and is made entirely from silver of a high purity, showing fine and detailed incision work. It shares the physical proportions, sensuous plasticity, and exquisite modeling that normally characterizes sculptures from ancient India, which certainly served as an inspiration. The excellent polish of the surface shows the hand of a highly experienced silversmith, indicating a possible connection to the Imperial workshops in Beijing.

The Kamajayi Mudra involves pressing the thumb against the index finger of the same hand while allowing the other fingers to remain in a relaxed and slightly curled position. This mudra serves to control desires and cravings and it promotes the awakening of spiritual energy. It is seldomly found on Buddhist statues of the period, and may have been depicted here for a specific reason, possibly in connection with the original recipient of this figure.

Literature comparison:
Compare a Tibetan silver figure of Vajradhara, 16.5 cm high, dated to the 15th century, in the Art Institute of Chicago, reference number 2014.1031. Compare a Nepalese silver figure of Tara, dated c. 1900, in the Powerhouse Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Sydney, object number 2014/132/25.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 78
Estimate: HKD 700,000 or approx. EUR 89,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver figure of Marici, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the related Buddhist subject, silver casting, incision work and modeling. Note the size (18.5 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2016, lot 559
Estimate: HKD 90,000 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver figure of a female attendant
Expert remark: Compare the related silver hollow-casting and detailed modeling. Note that this statue is from the Carl Kempe collection and also dates from the earlier part of the Qing dynasty.

点此阅读中文翻译 (Chinese Translation)

清朝上半葉觀音自在姿銀橡
中國,十七世紀末至十八世紀。觀音菩薩自在坐,舉起右手,左手支撐在岩石上,身著精美長袍,下擺飾有串珠瓔珞。面容平靜安詳,雙眸低垂,長耳垂。頭髮束成高髻,優雅地盤繞在肩上。(2)

來源:英國古玩交易。
品相:狀況良好,有磨損和輕微的鑄造缺陷,一些小刻痕,小污漬使銀失去光澤。可能曾經有鑲嵌物,但現已丟失。

重量:762.3 克
尺寸:高 13.1 厘米

本尊為空心鑄造,分為雕像和底座兩部分,全部由高純度的白銀製成,切口精細。 它具有印度雕塑比例、精緻的造型。 表面的拋光顯示了製作精良,表明可能與北京的皇家作坊有關。

文獻比較:
比較一件的十五世紀西藏觀音銀像,高16.5 釐米,收藏於芝加哥藝術博物館,館藏編號2014.1031。比較一件約1900年尼泊爾度母銀像,收藏於雪梨應用藝術與科學博物館的動力博物館,館藏編號 2014/132/25。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港邦瀚斯,2018年10月2日,lot 78
估價:HKD 700,000(相當於今日EUR 89,500
描述:乾隆時期銀質積光佛母像
專家評論:比較相近的佛陀主題、銀鑄造、雕刻和模型 。請注意尺寸 (18.5 釐米)。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港蘇富比,2016年12月1日,lot 559
估價:HKD 90,000(相當於今日EUR 12,000
描述:銀製女像
專家評論:比較相近的銀製空心鑄造和細節。請注意此像來自Carl Kempe收藏,以及亦為清代前期。

Zacke Live Online Bidding

Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.

To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins. 

Create an Account

  

Intended Spend and Bid Limits

When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'. 

Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT.  For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.

 

Online Absentee and Telephone Bids

You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website! 

Absentee Bidding

Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.

Telephone Bidding

Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.

Telephone Bidding Form

 

Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form

You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page. 

 

How-To Guides

How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online

 

中文版本的操作指南 

创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍(免平台费)
缺席投标和电话投标

 

Third-Party Bidding

We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:

  • 51 Bid Live
  • EpaiLive
  • ArtFoxLive
  • Invaluable
  • LiveAuctioneers
  • the-saleroom
  • lot-tissimo
  • Drouot

Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.

  

Bidding in Person

You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.