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Wenshu Bodhisattva on Lion – Large Chinese Temple Bronze (19th Century)

Name: Wenshu Bodhisattva on Lion – Large Chinese Temple Bronze (19th Century)
Brand: 1stBuddha
SKU: 396
Price: 6500 EUR
Availability: InStock

AvailabilityIn stock

Only 1 left

SKU

396

Large nineteenth-century Chinese temple bronze of Wenshu Bodhisattva seated on a lion. The sculpture is solid cast, weighs approximately 78 kg and retains traces of original fire gilding in protected areas. This is an authentic late-Qing temple piece with natural age patina, smoke deposits and unaltered underside structure. This sculpture has early European provenance. Archival photographs confirm that the piece was already part of the collection of Oriental Arts in Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands) during the late twentieth century, where it was exhibited together with other Southeast and East Asian bronzes. This establishes a documented presence in Europe for several decades.

€6,500.00

Validation Report

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This nineteenth-century Chinese temple bronze of Wenshu Bodhisattva seated on a lion was examined using museum-grade analytical methods, including UV-based surface review and microscopic observation of critical zones. The sculpture is solid cast with an earthen core. The underside preserves original casting-core material, burnt clay, fibre inclusions and layered soot deposits, with no modern fillers or structural interventions. Surface behaviour and oxidation patterns are consistent with long-term temple use. Protected areas show micro-residues of original fire gilding beneath soot and patina.

Material: bronze alloy
Technique: solid-cast with earthen core and openwork mandorla
Height: 94.5 cm
Width: 53 cm
Weight: approx. 78 kg
Period: late Qing dynasty, 19th century
Region: China
Condition: natural age patina, original casting core, soot deposits, traces of historical fire gilding, no modern restoration

1stbuddha retail valuation: €8,500 – €12,500

Wenshu Bodhisattva on Lion – Large Chinese Temple Bronze (19th Century)

In stock

Description

This nineteenth-century temple bronze represents Wenshu Bodhisattva (Manjushri) seated on a lion, an iconographic form associated with wisdom and protection. The figure sits on a wide Chinese lotus throne, supported by a powerful lion with characteristic late-Qing stylistic features. The openwork mandorla, the layered robe textures and the massive casting are typical of temple bronzes made in China between 1850 and 1900.

The sculpture is solid cast and weighs approximately 78 kg. The underside shows original casting core remains, layered soot and old mineral deposits. These traces confirm traditional foundry methods and long-term temple use. UV inspection reveals micro-residues of fire gilding in protected areas, indicating that the figure was originally partially gilded.

The piece survives in fully authentic condition, with natural oxidation, age-related surface texture and no modern restoration. This is a rare and impressive example of a large Chinese Wenshu Bodhisattva on lion from the late Qing period.