Standing Sho Kannon – Fire-Gilt Bronze, Japan Meiji Period (ca. 1880–1900)
A rare standing Sho Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) from Japan, Meiji period (ca. 1880–1900), cast in fire-gilt bronze. Measuring 113 cm in height and 23 kg in weight, this figure represents the Bodhisattva of Compassion in a serene upright posture on a double lotus pedestal with aureole.
Valuation Report
This Japanese Sho-Kannon statue was examined using museum-grade analytical methods, including UV inspection and microscopy. The sculpture shows authentic 19th-century fire-gilt bronze surfaces, natural mineral corrosion, internal aged deposits and no signs of modern restoration. The original hand attribute is missing, but the casting and gilding remain intact.
Material: bronze alloy with 24k fire gilding
Technique: hollow lost-wax casting, chased surface
Size: height 113 cm, weight 23 kg
Period: late Edo – Meiji period, ca. 1850–1900
Region: Japan
Condition: naturally aged patina, internal mineral layers, stable structure, original attribute missing
Retail valuation (1stbuddha): €12.000 – €18.000
Standing Sho Kannon – Fire-Gilt Bronze, Japan Meiji Period (ca. 1880–1900)
Description
Standing Sho Kannon – Fire-Gilt Bronze, Japan Meiji Period (ca. 1880–1900)
This impressive Sho Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) statue originates from Japan during the late Meiji period, ca. 1880–1900. It is cast in bronze using traditional sand-casting methods and finished with fire gilding, much of which is preserved in the folds and recessed areas.
The figure stands 113 cm high, weighs 23 kg, and rests on a double lotus pedestal with an ornate aureole. Sho Kannon is depicted with a serene expression, elongated earlobes, and a crown, embodying compassion and protection in Japanese Buddhist tradition.
Technical and Historical Notes
- Material: Fire-gilt bronze, hollow cast
- Dimensions: Height 113 cm, Width 31 cm, Weight 23 kg
- Origin: Japan, Meiji period (ca. 1880–1900)
- Condition: Structurally intact, authentic patina, no restorations
Sho Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) was one of the most widely venerated bodhisattvas in Japan, worshipped both in temples and in private altars. This figure represents a devotional artwork of significant scale, intended to radiate compassion and spiritual protection.
Today, it stands as a remarkable example of Japanese Buddhist bronze casting of the late 19th century.
Scholarly Record
This object has been documented in a full 15-page scholarly record prepared for academic reference and long-term preservation. The record is deposited on Zenodo with DOI 10.5281/zenodo.16919064.
The publication includes detailed technical examination, iconographic interpretation, condition summary, and contextual notes. It is released under a CC BY 4.0 license for academic use.
Citation: 1stbuddha, Standing Sho Kannon – Fire-Gilt Bronze Statue, Japan, Meiji Period (ca. 1880–1900), Zenodo (2025). DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16919064
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Standing Sho Kannon – Fire-Gilt Bronze, Japan Meiji Period (ca. 1880–1900)
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