A gold lacquered bronze figure of Bodhisattva, Ming dynasty, mid 15th Century.
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The seated bodhisattva finely cast in vajraparyankasana with the lowered proper left hand cradling a cinatamani pearl, the opposite hand in vitarka mudra, an elaborate diadem encircling a coiled topknot and crowning the broad, rounded face with gently arched brows framing a serene, downcast gaze, the princely figure adorned in heavy earrings, a tiered necklace, and highly wrought girdle, relief-cast borders of lotus and stippled ground decorating the billowing sash and dhoti, the latter arrayed in neat folds about the legs, all raised on a double-lotus base flanked by pendent sashes. Height 32 cm, weight ca 3840 g.
Base placque missing. Wear. Part of crown on the bakside with damage, attribute with damage. Surface affected.
Provenance
From the Collection of Henrik Eugene Reuterswärd (1881-1964), thence by descent to Marina Reuterswärd.
The buddhas, the painting and the bronses are listed in Henrik E Reuterswärds 1921 pre-nup upon his marriage to Ebba Ingeborg (Inge) Sjögren, at the time he lived in a 7 room flat at Storgatan 55, Östermalm, Stockholm. Henrik E Reuterswärd were employed by Mo and Domsjö Aktiebolag, from 1901, later MoDo, the company was later lead by the famous collector of Asian art Carl Kempe (1884-1967). Reuterswärd built his collection during the golden age of collecting in Europe. The interest for works of art from Asia were great at the time, this was enhanced by many factors such as; that the world renowned Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer, travel writer Sven Hedin 1865-1952 hade made several excursions to Asia 1898-1907. The famous China Club were founded in 1929. The Karlbeck syndicate were formed and Orvar Karlbeck (1879-1967) made several trips to acquire objects for collectors and Museums around the world. Henriks relative C.R. Patrik Reuterswärd (1885-1963) was posted as charge d’affaires in Tokyo, Peking and Shanghai 1911-1914.