A BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI

Description:

China, 17th c.
H. 38,5 cm
Seated in vajrasana on a lotus base cast with several rows of upturned petals, placed on the back of the caparisoned lion standing four-square on a lotus base, his head facing the viewer and a curling tail, his right hand in varadamudra while the left in vitaramudra holding stems of lotuses flowering along the upper arms supporting probably manuscripts, wearing dhoti, cape draped over his shoulders, bejewelled, his face displaying a serene expression with downcast eyes below arched eyebrows, elongated earlobes and his hairdo combed in a chignon secured with an elaborate tiara decorated with floating ribbons, various patches of gilt- and red-lacquer.
Old German private collection, assembled before 1990 - Wear, slightly chipped