YASUCHIKA: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE SILVER FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU, DATED 1738

YASUCHIKA: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE SILVER FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU, DATED 1738
By Tsuchiya Yasuchika (1670-1744), signed Yasuchika with kakihan
Japan, dated 1738, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published & Exhibited:
Spink & Son Ltd, Japanese Works of Art, 10-17 June 1977, London, no. 58.
The bodhisattva of compassion finely cast standing and holding in her left hand a lotus bud borne on a gently curved stem, the right hand raised in semui-in (abhaya mudra), the gesture of fearlessness. She is wearing a loose-fitting robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds, flanked by billowing scarves hanging from each arm. Her serene face with heavy-lidded eyes below gently arched brows, fer full lips forming a calm smile, the hair piled up into a high chignon secured by a plain headdress and surmounted by a jewel.
HEIGHT 9.4 cm (the figure, excl. stand) and 11.6 cm (the mandorla, excl. stand)
WEIGHT (excluding base) 208 g
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minimal casting irregularities, and few tiny nicks.
Provenance:
Spink & Son Ltd, London, 1977. European collection, acquired from the above.
The separately cast figure and mandorla fitted into an associated wood stand.
The present figure is an extremely rare work by either Tsuchiya Yasuchika I (1670-1744) or Yasuchika II (1695-1747) who were retainers of Daizen, Matsudaira Daimyo of Shonai. The inscription to the back of the mandorla dates the present piece to Genbun 3rd year, a good day in the seventh month (1738) and is dedicated to Ganshu Matsudaira Izumonskami of Izumo Province.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related, yet significantly later (Meiji period), silver figure of Kannon, at Bonhams, Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2009, New York, lot 395 (
sold for 14,640 USD
).