Lot 80
East Asia, Japan, late Edo Period, ca. 19th century CE. A fabulous wood sculpture of the 6-armed form of the bodhisattva Nyoirin Kannon, a prominent deity in the Japanese Esoteric Buddhist pantheon and one of the 6 "changed forms" of the bodhisattva Kannon (Indian Avalokiteshvara) associated with the granting of desires and gaining of riches, decorated with brass and glass bead ornaments as well as lustrous gold pigment or gilding. The deity is identified by his distinctive pose of royal ease as each of the 6 hands represent different attributes of the god: holding a wish-granting jewel, a string of prayer beads, a lotus blossom, and a wheel symbolizing Buddha's teaching as the remaining 2 gesture towards his cheek and rest flat on the ground, bracing him against the earth. Framed by an elaborate mandorla, the bodhisattva sits on a double-lotus throne atop wooden craigs in a stream and a gilt pedestal adorned with relief meander motif and swastika designs. Size: 7.7" L x 9.5" W x 24.5" H (19.6 cm x 24.1 cm x 62.2 cm)
All is atop a lacquered wood base inscribed with Japanese script that details the location of the temple this was made for - possibly Nachi Falls in the Kii Province - and the name of the donors who commissioned the sculpture.
Kannon is the Japanese name for the Indian Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Because of the boundless love he offered to all beings, this was the most popular of all the Buddhist deities throughout Asia. The Nyoirin Kannon was widely worshiped by those who hoped to gain riches and see their requests fulfilled. The word nyo-i refers to the cintamani, the wish-granting jewel; the term rin, which means "wheel," refers to the turning of the wheel of the law.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#184913
- Condition: Figure, mandorla, double-lotus throne, pedestal, and base are all detachable from one another. Repair to tip of mandorla, one side of pedestal, one arm, and rocky craigs with break lines slightly visible in areas. Stable fissure to top of head, chipping to wooden craigs, and bending to some brass ornaments, as well as surface wear as shown, but otherwise, very nice with good remains of detail and rich patina throughout.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |