A SMALL CHINESE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSRI

18TH CENTURY

The bodhisattva cast seated in dhyanasana wielding a sword in one hand, his other hand is held in kartari mudra and clasps a lotus stem which supports a book, he wears a dhoti and a long flowing scarf that flutters by his sides, his crown, earrings and body jewellery set with coloured jewels, all raised on a lotus base incised with two characters, with the baseplate lacking and prayers visible to the interior, 10.1cm, 437g.

Cf. Sotheby's New York, 17th September 2014, lot 455 for a very similar 18th century figure of Manjusri.

Manjusri represents transcendent wisdom and it is believed that his purpose on Earth is to save people from ignorance. The lotus flower supporting a scripture in his right hand symbolises the knowledge of the Buddha, whilst his sword represents the need to cut down ignorance and darkness.