A MONUMENTAL BRONZE BUST OF GUANYIN, MING DYNASTY, MOUNTED ON A SACRED KASUGA CEDAR WOOD STAND BY SUIREI

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A MONUMENTAL BRONZE BUST OF GUANYIN, MING DYNASTY, MOUNTED ON A SACRED KASUGA CEDAR WOOD STAND BY SUIREI Expert’s note This bronze bust of Guanyin once belonged to an exceptionally large figure for this type, which must have measured around 95 cm high if seated. At 43 cm, the surviving bust alone possesses a commanding monumentality. It is further distinguished by its Japanese stand, formed from a beautifully weathered slab of Kasuga cedar (sugi) from the sacred Kasugayama Primeval Forest behind Kasuga Taisha in Nara. Revered as the shrine’s divine mountain, the forest has been protected from hunting and logging since 841; it was designated a Special Natural Monument in 1955 and became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” in 1998. Since Kasuga cedar can be obtained only from naturally fallen or dead trees, it is an extraordinarily rare and deeply revered material. The stand bears the seal of Suirei, a little-documented Japanese wood artist known from a small group of similarly signed cedar objects, although the artist’s dates remain unknown. Significantly, the inscription’s reference to the forest as a “Special Natural Monument” dates the stand to 1955 or later. The union of monumental Ming bronze and sacred Japanese timber creates a particularly resonant devotional ensemble, joining two Buddhist artistic traditions across centuries. China, circa 16th century. Finely modeled wearing a cowl and robes with intricate foliate hems falling over the shoulders, the chest adorned with an elaborate beaded necklace, the face gazing downwards with serene expression, finely incised eyelids, lips, and arched brows, and surmounted by an elaborate crown centered by an image of Buddha Amitabha. The hair arranged in a tall chignon with tresses falling onto the shoulders, flanked by elongated earlobes suspending blossom-form earrings. Dimensions: Height 43 cm tall (excl. stand), 48.5 cm (incl. stand) Mounted on a Kasuga cedar wood stand dating from the second half of the 20th century, signed ‘Suirei’ and further inscribed in Japanese, ‘Special Natural Monument, Nara Kasugayama Primeval Forest (Mount Kasugayama), Kasuga cedar wood’. (2) Buddhist bronze sculpture in China developed from portable votive icons into increasingly ambitious images intended for temples and monasteries. By the Liao and Song dynasties, bronze figures had acquired greater scale, volume, and sculptural presence, while Ming-period workshops transformed these earlier traditions into a classical idiom characterized by balanced proportions, elaborate ornament, and an imposing yet contemplative presence. The worship of Guanyin originated in India, where the bodhisattva was known as Avalokitesvara, and entered China with the spread of Buddhism. The name Guanyin, “Perceiver of Sounds,” refers to the deity’s ability to hear the cries of suffering beings and respond with boundless compassion. The Lotus Sutra describes Guanyin as assuming thirty-three different forms according to the needs of the supplicant, a doctrine that encouraged an extraordinarily rich and varied iconographic tradition. Over the centuries, Guanyin became one of the most universally revered figures in Chinese Buddhism and was increasingly represented in a gentle, feminine form embodying mercy, protection, and spiritual deliverance. The present figure is identified by the small image of Amitabha Buddha seated within the crown, recalling Guanyin’s role as the principal bodhisattva of Amitabha’s Western Paradise. The elaborate openwork diadem, pendant jewelry, layered robes, and long floral earrings proclaim the deity’s celestial rank, while the lowered eyes and softly modeled features create an expression of profound inward calm. Even in its fragmentary state, the bust retains an extraordinary sense of majesty: the broad shoulders, powerful volumes, and commanding scale suggest an image conceived for a prominent devotional setting, where its serene presence would have inspired both reverence and contemplation. Literature comparison: Compare a related smaller leaded brass figure of Guanyin, dated 15th-16th century, 38.4 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 12.37.160. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Paris, 11 December 2013, lot 89 Price: EUR 505,500 or approx. EUR 626,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: The present bust likely once belonged to a similar figure of around the same size (95 cm). Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting. Note the base and overall state of preservation.

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