A gilt lacquer bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
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Seated in dhyanasana, with the hands in abhaya and varada mudra, the shoulders flanked by a bird and a chilug ewer borne on blossoming lotuses from vines stemming from the hands, the ears and body heavily adorned with ornaments and jewels, all supported by a double-lotus base. Height 22 cm.
Wear, loss of paint. Attribute to the right broken off, missing, presumably a vase. Hole.
Provenance
From the Collection of Henrik Eugene Reuterswärd (1881-1964), thence by descent to Marina Reuterswärd.
The buddhas, the painting and the bronses are listed in Henrik E Reuterswärds 1921 pre-nup upon his marriage to Ebba Ingeborg (Inge) Sjögren, at the time he lived in a 7 room flat at Storgatan 55, Östermalm, Stockholm. Henrik E Reuterswärd were employed by Mo and Domsjö Aktiebolag, from 1901, later MoDo, the company was later lead by the famous collector of Asian art Carl Kempe (1884-1967). Reuterswärd built his collection during the golden age of collecting in Europe. The interest for works of art from Asia were great at the time, this was enhanced by many factors such as; that the world renowned Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer, travel writer Sven Hedin 1865-1952 hade made several excursions to Asia 1898-1907. The famous China Club were founded in 1929. The Karlbeck syndicate were formed and Orvar Karlbeck (1879-1967) made several trips to acquire objects for collectors and Museums around the world. Henriks relative C.R. Patrik Reuterswärd (1885-1963) was posted as charge d’affaires in Tokyo, Peking and Shanghai 1911-1914.