AN 18th CENTURY GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYINGilt copper bronze alloy, cast and chased China, 18th century The deity seated in rajalilasana on a rectangular stepped base decorated with incised floral patterns. Guanyin is holding a kalasha and a jewel and is framed by celestial bands. Her voluminous lower garment is tied at the waist and she wears precious jewelry with a seated figure of Amitabha in the crown band. She has her head slightly inclined and her facial expression is mild and well meaning. The underside of the base is sealed with a copper plate incised with a double vajra. Shape: Figural Weight: 1,234 gramsDimensions: Height 18.2 cm, width 11 cmCondition: very good condition with appealing patina and only minor abrasions to gilding Provenance: Austrian private collection Literature comparison: The tradition in China of casting bronze figures of Avalokiteshvara in this posture dates back to at least the early Ming, as evinced by a well-known example in the British Museum (see Beguin, Dieux et Démons de l'Himalaya, Paris, 1977, p.194, no.207). A similar Qing-dynasty example is published in the same volume (no.211).Auction result comparison: for a near identical example see Sotheby’s, IMPORTANT CHINESE ART, 16 MARCH 2016, NEW YORK, lot 375. 十八世紀鎏金銅觀音坐像鎏金銅,鑄造中國,十八世紀重量: 1,234 克尺寸: 高 18.2 厘米 寬 11 厘米品相: 極好,有包漿,鎏金有輕微磨損 來源: 奧地利私人收藏