A magnificent and extremely rare large wood sculpture of Avalokiteshvara, Song dynasty | 宋 木雕加彩觀世音菩薩坐像

A magnificent and extremely rare large wood sculpture of Avalokiteshvara,
Song dynasty
宋 木雕加彩觀世音菩薩坐像

sensitively and naturalistically modelled seated in rajalilasana with the right hand resting on the folded right knee, the Bodhisattva rendered dignified and majestic with a serene meditation expression below a high topknot, the classic poise accentuated with a sash draping across the bare torso, above a loose dhoti elegantly cascading in folds around the legs and over the plinth whilst partially exposing both feet, the bare upper torso superbly portrayed with muscular contours and ornamented with a beaded necklace, traces of original stucco decoration and bright pigments, stucco plinth
figure 137.2 cm, overall 178 cm
The outcome of Carbon-14 testing is consistent with the dating of this lot.
此拍品年代與碳十四測試結果吻合。

Condition Report:
The figure is in exceptionally good condition with extensive traces of its original pigments preserved. There are typical age cracks with associated minor losses, including a stabilised age crack extending from the ribbon below the belly to the hem with a restuck associated chip, and another area of repair to the hem below the ribbon. There are minor repairs to the fragile extremities, including the left thumb, right index and ring fingers, and typical minor chips to the edges. Copies of the carbon dating reports which are consistent with the Song dynasty dating are available upon request.

整體品相完好，仍見原有色彩。見舊裂，有些導致輕微剝落，包括腹下綬帶至裙邊一處經加固，另有小處剝落經原件修復，綬帶結下裙邊另見一處修補。邊沿見小處修補，包括左母指、右食指及無名指。邊沿輕微磕痕，屬正常。
碳十四報告結果與本品年代吻合，詳細報告，請聯絡部門。

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Provenance:
Collection of John Richard Young (1932-2015), a prominent American businessman, collector and philanthropist.

美國富商慈善家 John Richard Young（1932-2015年）舊藏，楊氏曾任職於美國空軍十載，後為 Magnavox、Sony 等公司之管理階層