Gilt bronze "Male Guanyin", Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

A gilt-bronze sculpture depicting the figure of a male Guanyin (男像观音) seated in upright position on a round mat meditating with one knee bent upwards and the other leg is flat on its side. The forearm of the right hand is held over the knee and the hand brings the middle fingers together with the thumb (mudra). The other hand rests on the leg and holds a fruit with the palm upwards. The body proportions are harmonious and the work represents the sacred along with great aesthetic taste. In optimum condition with patina on the gilding and black pigmentation on the hair.

Despite being masculine, the fingers are slender and soft, and the face is round. His expression shows tranquillity in a state of enlightenment and wisdom. Their eyebrows are low and his eyes look down on all living beings. The most significant feature is the curly hairstyle at the end of each lock, which leaves the forehead and head uncovered, together with a dense, curly beard. The ears are long with distended lobes and the neck is folded, features he shares with Buddha.

The robe curls around the sturdy shoulders expose the chest and fall in front in folds. It replicates the texture of silk cloth and is worked at the ends with detailed and vivid floral patterns. Around the waist, it is fastened with a belt tied at the front with a bow. On the chest falls a necklace of three strands linked by a medallion. 

According to Buddhist scriptures, "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva" has thirty-two types of incarnations, which can be shown as male, female, emperor, Brahman, etc. In early Buddhism, bodhisattvas were mainly shown as men, but in later times the male phase of Guanyin was depicted to a lesser size. The figure demonstrates characteristics of Ming court statues.

Height: 11.50 cm; Base size: 9.20 x 9.80 cm; Weight: 995 g

Provenance: European private collection.