Gilt bronze China, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1402-1424) The bodhisattva Manjusri is finely cast and seated in dhyanasana position on a double lotus base, his hands performing the wheel-turning gesture (dharmachakramudra) while holding the tips of lotus stems bearing his attributes, a sword and a book The figure wears a flowing dhoti converging in folds around the knees, a shoulder sash reveals the bare chest adorned with beaded pendent jewellery chains The lips with gentle indicated smile, the eyes downcast, thus producing a gentle and benevolent facial expression The long hair is arranged in braids with loose strands falling over the shoulders and with a curling topknot endowed with a jewelled crown. The base plate lost (traces of red pigment) Height: 22.5 cm Good, age related condition Provenance: From a South German private collection; acquired on the European art market around c. 1970 and thence by descent (see also lot no. 22, 56, 64 and 65) This sculpture is representative of a group of Buddhist figural bronzes made in China during the first half of the fifteenth century. It exhibits the technical perfection and artistic grace that has come to be associated with the gilt-bronze Buddhist figures of the Yongle reign made in a style known as Sino-Tibetan. In the preceding Yuan dynasty a closely association with Tibetan Buddhist or Lamaist rituals came into being as under the authority of the Mongols, who had adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their national religion. The tradition of Lamaist art continued into the Ming dynasty and prevailed in works of art such as the present example. During the reigns of Yongle and Xuande a number of Tibetan hierarchs were invited to the Chinese court to conduct religious ceremonies or to create diplomatic links and images such as the present lot appear to have been made as gifts that were exchanged on such visits. Compare with similar figures, like the Dharmacakra-Manjughosa with Yongle period incised mark in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing (published in The Palace Museum (Ed.), Classics of the Forbidden City. Tibetan Buddhist Sculptures, Beijing 2012, p. 216, cat. no. 130), another figure from the Berti Aschmann collection in the Museum Rietberg, Zurich (published in H. Uhlig, On the Path to Enlightenment, Zurich 1995, cat. no. 68), or a third figure in the Potala Palace collection, Lhasa (published in U. von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculpture in Tibet, Vol. Two, Hongkong 2001, pl. 359B). Condition: The figure is in good condition with usual signs of age and use. Partly gold wear and slight scratch marks. The height measures c. 22.5 cm. Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance. Starting Price : 30000