Ader
265
-
An almost square painted wooden panel depicting the bodhisat…
See original version (French)
265
-
An almost square painted wooden panel depicting the bodhisat…
See original version (French)
Estimate €1,800 - €2,200
Voluntary lot
Description
An almost square painted wooden panel depicting the bodhisattva Mañjusri, Sino-Tibetan art, probably 18th–19th century
Seated in dhyanasana on a lotus-shaped throne, his right hand raised, holding the flaming sword – a characteristic attribute of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, whose blade symbolises the ability to cut through ignorance and delusion; in his left hand, he holds the stem of a blooming lotus emerging from his side and bearing the Prajñaparamita text, another traditional attribute of Mañjusri. The figure is set within a large mandorla, against a background animated by stylised clouds, rendered in a polychrome palette. The treatment of the face, clothing and ornaments draws on the vocabulary of Tibetan Buddhist painting, whilst certain elements of the decoration reveal the influence of the Chinese decorative repertoire. In the lower section, on either side of the throne, are depicted two peaches—an auspicious motif associated in the Sino-Buddhist tradition with longevity and immortality—whilst the three sacred jewels are shown in the centre. Above the peach on the viewer’s right, two Chinese characters ?? are painted in black; these may correspond to a classification or mounting mark relating to a set of panels. Significant abrasion of the paint layer reveals the wooden support in places and is accompanied by losses, wear and flaking of the polychrome, evidence of long-term use. The panel, which is relatively thin, probably formed part of a decorative or architectural ensemble.
83 x 84 cm
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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