Song Dynasty Yingqing Glazed Porcelain Manjushri Buddha Seated on Lion Statue

拍品描述

Dimensions: Maximum width 15 cm (5.91 inches), total height 19.8 cm (7.80 inches), 10th-13th century. Condition and Provenance: The entire bodhisattva statue is intact, with no broken or missing parts. The bodhisattva, base, and pedestal are all well-preserved. The glaze has a naturally distributed yellowish-brown acidic patina, indicating original burial, without any artificial cleaning or coloring. The bodhisattva's facial features are clear and complete, with the finely carved crown and robe folds intact; the lion's teeth, mane, and scales are three-dimensional, without impact damage. The pale blue glaze retains its original soft luster, with burial traces visible in thinner areas, but no large areas of glaze peeling or fine cracks. The base is flat and has a hollow ventilation hole. The coarse earthenware body is dry and slightly aged, with only slight natural wear on the edges of the base, showing no signs of polishing, repair, or replacement. This piece comes from a private collector residing in Los Angeles, California, USA, who specializes in antique Oriental Buddhist sculptures. Description: This well-preserved porcelain sculpture of Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a lion is a classic example of celadon glaze from the Jingdezhen kilns of the Song Dynasty, and an important religious artifact within the Song Dynasty's Buddhist sculpture tradition. Hand-sculpted from a mixture of kaolin clay and fired at high temperatures, it is covered in a soft, lake-blue celadon glaze, a signature glaze color of southern Song Dynasty porcelain kilns. The sculpture consists of two parts: Manjushri Bodhisattva and his sacred mount, a lion, both standing firmly on an irregularly shaped octagonal folding base. Manjushri Bodhisattva sits serenely on the lion's back, wearing an exquisite multi-layered floral headdress with neatly coiled hair. The facial carving showcases the gentle aesthetics of the Song Dynasty: delicate, serene eyes, a full and rounded facial expression, and a peaceful and serene face. The Bodhisattva wears a wide-sleeved, cross-collared robe, with layers of pleats cascading naturally, highlighting the texture of the fabric. His hands hold ritual implements at his abdomen, his posture solemn and tranquil. The lion, the exclusive mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva, stands sideways, its eyes wide open, revealing sharp fangs, exuding a majestic aura. The lion's body is covered with dense scales and mane patterns, its limbs firmly planted on the base, conveying a sense of weight and power. The craftsmanship on the back is equally exquisite: the headband, folds of the robe, and the scales and mane on the lion's back are all sculpted with lifelike detail, without any simplification. A standard hollow vent is drilled at the bottom, an essential step in the Song Dynasty porcelain forming process, designed to prevent cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction during firing. The exposed, rough earthenware base is dry and ancient, its surface covered with natural soil layers, consistent with the characteristics of Southern Song Dynasty pottery. This piece is unglazed; all visual depth comes from the soft, elegant celadon glaze and the three-dimensional sculpture. The mottled soil layers, naturally deposited over thousands of years, add a rustic charm to the work. In Chinese Buddhism, Manjushri Bodhisattva symbolizes supreme wisdom, and his lion-riding image was once a central offering in ancient temples and family shrines. A well-preserved celadon Manjushri lion statue with an antique glaze and carving is extremely rare on today's antique market. It perfectly preserves all the production techniques of Song Dynasty molded porcelain, including glazing and firing, making it of immense research value for Buddhist art history and the dating of ancient ceramics. Furthermore, it is a coveted collectible for Buddhist sculpture collectors worldwide, suitable for display and religious worship.

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