A fine and rare wood figure of Wenshu (Manjusri), with his hands held in vitarkamudra, seated in vajrasana posture on a lotus throne carried on the back of a lion, accompanied by a foreign groom, the animal’s keeper; all supported on an oval plinth. Wenshu is dressed in a dhoti with a scarf over his shoulders, elaborate jewellery and a crown with a figure of Amitabha to the centre. His hair is tied in an elaborate topknot and falls in tresses over his shoulders. His features bear a benign expression. The animated lion is well carved with full trappings and a saddle-cloth; it has a fierce expression with its mouth open baring its teeth. The beast turns its head towards the keeper who struggles to control it by a long rope. The wood has extensive remains of original gilding and pigments.

Yuan dynasty
Height: 16 3/4”, 42.5 cm

The dating of this piece is consistent with Arizona’s radiocarbon dating sample AA-35252.

Wenshu is the Bodhisattva of Transcendental Wisdom, and Wutai Mountain in Shanxi province is sacred to him.

For a similar example, see Hai-wai Yi-chen: Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Buddhist Sculpture II, no.180, p. 190. A further example is illustrated as no. 327 in China: Cultuur Vroeger en Nu.