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Guanyin The Chinese Mother Goddess Takes Centre Stage At Bonhams Women In Chinese Art Sale

May 28, 2021 10:23 AM EDT
A Rare and Large Silver-Inlaid Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 16th/17th Century Estimate: HK$3,500,000-4,500,000 Sold for HK$4,377,500

A Rare and Large Silver-Inlaid Bronze Figure of Guanyin from 16th/17th Century was the top lot of Bonhams sale of Fine Chinese Art Introducing Beauty and Beyond: Women in Chinese Art. The statue carries an estimate of HK$3,500,000-4,500,000 and it achieved HK$4,377,500, eclipsing the high estimate.

This feminine appearance of Guanyin – otherwise known as the Chinese mother goddess – appeared to emerge in the early Tang Dynasty, even though traditionally it could appear in any gender to expound Buddhist teaching. This rare bronze figure is outstanding for its extraordinary attention to detail and sculptural qualities. Only a few bronze Guanyin figures of comparable size with similar hand gestures dated to the Ming dynasty seem to be recorded.

Woman accessories of the sale also saw great bidding interest, with many lots achieving multiples of their estimate:

Lot 1 A Rare Gold Repoussé 'Phoenix' Panel Liao Dynasty Estimate: HK$150,000-180,000 Sold for: HK$377,500 **Over doubling the estimate**
Lot 1 A Rare Gold Repoussé ‘Phoenix’ Panel Liao Dynasty Estimate: HK$150,000-180,000 Sold for: HK$377,500 **Over doubling the estimate**
Lot 30 A Kingfisher Feather 'Jewel'-Encrusted Headdress, Dianzi 19th Century Estimate: HK$180,000-220,000 Sold for: HK$877,500 **Over four times the estimate**
Lot 30 A Kingfisher Feather ‘Jewel’-Encrusted Headdress, Dianzi 19th Century Estimate: HK$180,000-220,000 Sold for: HK$877,500 **Over four times the estimate**
Lot 32 A Kingfisher, Pearl and Ruby-Inset Headdress 19th Century Estimate: HK$40,000-60,000 Sold for: HK$202,500 **Five times the estimate**
Lot 32 A Kingfisher, Pearl and Ruby-Inset Headdress 19th Century Estimate: HK$40,000-60,000 Sold for: HK$202,500 **Five times the estimate**
Lot 48 A Pair of Jadeite 'Earpick' Hairpins 19th Century Estimate: HK$60,000- 80,000 Sold for: HK$340,000 **Over five times the estimate**
Lot 48 A Pair of Jadeite ‘Earpick’ Hairpins 19th Century Estimate: HK$60,000- 80,000 Sold for: HK$340,000 **Over five times the estimate**
Lot 64 A Large Canton Embroidered 'Officials and Ladies' Shawl Late 19th/Early 20th Century Estimate: HK$30,000-40,000 Sold for: HK$102,000 **Over three times the estimate**
Lot 64 A Large Canton Embroidered ‘Officials and Ladies’ Shawl Late 19th/Early 20th Century Estimate: HK$30,000-40,000 Sold for: HK$102,000 **Over three times the estimate**

Further notable results included:

Lot 46 An Extremely Rare Pale Green Jade 'Romance of The Western Chamber' Openwork Boulder Qianlong Sold for: HK$3,502,500
Lot 46 An Extremely Rare Pale Green Jade ‘Romance of The Western Chamber’ Openwork Boulder Qianlong Sold for: HK$3,502,500
Lot 77 An Important and Very Rare Large Gilt-Bronze 'Dragon' Terminal Han Dynasty Estimate: HK$2,500,000-3,500,000 Sold for: HK$3,502,500
Lot 77 An Important and Very Rare Large Gilt-Bronze ‘Dragon’ Terminal Han Dynasty Estimate: HK$2,500,000-3,500,000 Sold for: HK$3,502,500
Lot 42 A Famille Rose 'Magpies and Prunus' Plaque Republic Period Estimate: HK$50,000-80,000 Sold for: HK$227,500 **Over four times the estimate**
Lot 42 A Famille Rose ‘Magpies and Prunus’ Plaque Republic Period Estimate: HK$50,000-80,000 Sold for: HK$227,500 **Over four times the estimate**

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