Gianguan Auctions highlights Asian devotional art Aug. 29

Northern Wei Dynasty stone Bodhisattva. Gianguan Auctions image

NEW YORK – Gianguan Auctions, known for two decades for offering Chinese religious art, is poised to present an outstanding collection of devotional art, bronze, jade and ceramic statues in its Saturday, Aug. 29 sale. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

With devotional art an integral part of the Chinese ethic and highly popular among Western practitioners of Buddhism and yoga, a rare Northern Wei Dynasty seated Bodhisattva with crossed ankles (above) is an exceptional offering. Its base flanked by two ferocious lions. This powerful figure captures the sculptural style of the Wei period: the serene expression of the delicately featured face, hands adopting the gestures (mudrās) “fear-not” and “charity offering” and the parallel folds of drapery (est.) $15,000-$20,000.

A Buddha of carved jade, one of the hardest stones to work, finds a niche in the sale as well. A Northern Wei Dynasty jade carving of Sakyamuni Maitreya seated on a plinth, carries a $7,000-$10,000 estimate.

Northern Wei jade carving of Sakyamuni Maitreya. Gianguan Auctions image

From the unifying Sui period comes a gilt-bronze altarpiece of Buddha Maitreya, comparable to one at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston (est. $20,000-$30,000).

Sui Dynasty gilt bronze altarpiece dedicated to Buddha Maitreya. Gianguan Auctions image

A rare Tianqi polychrome lacquer painted lobed lotus BaJixiang (eight Buddhist emblems) box and a cover of the Qing dynasty is expected to sell for $8,000-$15,000.

Rare Tianqi polychrome lacquer painted lobed lotus BaJixiang box and cover, Qing. Gianguan Auctions image

Ceramic highlights include a Qing pair of refined famille-rose square floral bowls bearing an imperial seal mark (est. $10,000-$15,000).

Pair of refined famille-rose square floral bowls, Qing. Gianguan Auctions image

The remarkable staying power of blue and white ceramics is evidenced by Lot 128, a massive blue and white figurative jardiniere from Qing Dynasty (est. $3,000-$5,000).