A MAGNIFICENT GILT-COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MUNSU (MANJUSRI), JOSEON DYNASTY

Scientific Analysis Report:
A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 17 April 2023, based on sample number N123c91, sets the firing date of one sample taken between 180 and 300 years ago. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.

Korea, 1720-1840. Heavily cast, the bodhisattva of wisdom seated in lalitasana atop a lotus pillow, holding a jewel in his left and a scepter in his right, wearing thickly cast voluminous robes with finely detailed folds. His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes below elegantly arched brows centered by a raised circular urna, the mouth with slender bow-shaped lips slightly agape. The hair neatly incised and piled up into a high topknot behind the open worked foliate tiara.


Provenance:
From a German private collection.

Condition:
Old wear, casting flaws, signs of weathering, rubbing and losses to gilt, small nicks and dents, shallow surface scratches, minor losses, and fatigue cracks with traces of soldering. Possibly minute old fills and/or repair work. Displaying remarkably well, and extremely rare in this overall excellent state of preservation, commensurate with size and age.

Weight: 9.1 kg
Dimensions: Height 60.5 cm


Expert’s note:
This gilt-copper alloy figure was originally part of a triad, with the two bodhisattvas Munsu (Manjusri) and Bohyeon (Samantabhadra) flanking Seokga (Buddha Shakyamuni). In this triad, the bodhisattvas are often depicted riding their respective vehicles, the tiger and elephant, and consistently appear in the same position with Munsu to the left of Seokga and Bohyeon to the right. It is clear from the position of the present figure’s hanging leg and the scepter held in his right hand, that
the present lot depicts Munsu
. Furthermore, the hollow lotus pillow the figure is seated on shows obvious signs that it was once attached to a base or figure, which would have been a tiger. Note that large gilt bronzes from Korea, such as the present lot, are generally considered to be exceedingly rare.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2019, lot 363
Price: USD 75,000 or approx.
EUR 81,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt wood sculpture of a seated Bodhisattva, Joseon dynasty, probably second half 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling with similar face and robes. Note the different material and size (80 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 6 November 2018, lot 29
Price: GBP 17,500 or approx.
EUR 27,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze seated figure of Avalokiteshvara, Korea, Joseon period, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related manner of casting, with similarly formed thick robes, and the closely related alloy and gilding. Note the much smaller size (23.5 cm).




朝鮮王朝銅鎏金文殊像


韓國, 1720-1840年。文殊菩薩休閑坐，左手持寶珠，右執如意，身著袈裟，衣紋流暢。他面容平靜，雙眼低垂，眉​​毛中間有白毫，嘴微張。髮髻高束，鏤空葉狀王冠。


科學檢測報告：
Oxford Authentication 於2023 年 4 月 17 日出具一份熱釋光分析報告，樣本編號 N123c91，確定樣本的製作日期為 180 至 300 年前。隨附報告副本。


來源：
德國私人收藏。

品相：
磨損、鑄造缺陷、風化跡象、鎏金損失、小刻痕和凹痕、表面淺劃痕，小缺損，以及帶有焊接痕蹟的裂紋，可能有小填充或小修。整體保存狀況極佳。

重量：9.1 公斤
尺寸：高 60.5 厘米


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2019年3月19日，lot 363
價格：USD 75,000（相當於今日
EUR 81,000
）
描述：可能為十七世紀後半葉朝鮮鎏金木雕觀音坐像
專家評論：比較相近的面部和長袍。請注意不同的材料和尺寸 (80 釐米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦佳士得，2018年11月6日，lot 29
價格：GBP 17,500（相當於今日
EUR 27,000
）
描述：韓國十七世紀鎏金銅觀世音菩薩坐像
專家評論：比較相近的鑄造風格、相似的厚實長袍 ，以及非常相近的合金和鎏金。請注意尺寸較小 (23.5 釐米)。