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Any idea of age? Bronze; cloisonne; 24" h, 14" w, 9" d; turquoise, lapis, carnelian on crown. Any information appreciated.

This statue represents Manjusri the Bodhisattva of wisdom. The lotuses flowering at his shoulders support his symbols, a book on his left side and a tiny sword on his right. His hands are in a position known as dharmachacra mudra or the teaching position. The statue is modern and has almost certainly been made in China, probably within the last five years or so.
regards
Phillip Adams

It's been in the family since the early 1980s. Were they making them then too?
Thanks for the information.
Diana

Sadly they have Diana.
"Modern" sculptures like this have been made with increasing sophistication for some time although the rate has really escalated in the last 5 to 10 years.
You say the crown is inset with turquoise, lapis and carnelian. Carnelian would be an unuaual stone for an inset as most were inset with red coral.
If the base has been closed with a metal sealing plate, I would be interested in seeing a picture of it.
regards,
Phillip

Here is a picture of the bottom plate. I'm also including another bronze figure purchased in the early 1980s with hopes that you can tell me its age/nature as well. I really appreciate your help. I inherited these items and many more and am unsure of their insurance value...or if they even need to be insured.

Diana

Dear Diana,
Thanks for the extra image of the base plate. The condition of the plate and the method of its attachment would fit with the Manjusri being made relatively recently. In Chinese sculptural terms this could well include the time the sculpture was acquired in the 1980s.
The second scupture also appears to be cloisonne and I believe is about the same age as the Manjusri.
This statue represents Guanyin, [sometines spelled Kwan Yin or Kannon in Japanese]. Guanyin is the Buddhist godess of mercy and is one of the most popular deities in China and in fact right across the whole Northern Buddhist world.
As to the value of the sculptures I am not qualified to offer an opinion. They do not have a value for collectors of antique Buddhist bronzes. I think their value is what someone would be prepared to pay for them as decorative items and they are both attracative from that viewpoint.
Regards,
Phillip.

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