the eighteen-armed tantric form of the bodhisattva seated in vajraparyankasana, two hands joined in uttarabodhi mudra in front of the chest, a hand directly adjacent with an eye cast in the palm and in abhaya mudra, the other likely once holding a lotus stem, the additional arms radiating from the body and holding varying attributes including lasso, bottle vase, dharma wheel, conch, kundika, tablet, sword hilt (blade now lost), cintamani, and phurba, wearing a pierced crown centered with a small Amitabha, set upon a separately cast globular lotus in full bloom with nine tiers of petals, further raised on a standard of cylindrical section flanked by scrollwork and terminating in a hexagonal base of waves with a crouching chilong, all within a galleried wall and raised on bracket feet (3)

The figure is in overall good condition with wear typical for age. Two attributes lost and three other attributes with losses. With scattered minor losses to fingers and to the extremities of the crown and hair ornament. There is pitting a surface wear throughout. The lotus base in overall good condition and can lift out of the stand as it was cast separately, and fits together stably. The interior iron nail supports possibly later added to reinforce and have rusted. There are traces of red and green pigment to the chilong and its aquatic surroundings.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Avalokiteshvara, or Guanyin, the most commonly worshiped bodhisattva in Chinese Buddhism, is depicted in many forms including that with eighteen arms such as the present piece. Zhunti Guanyin belongs to the esoteric practice, with the arms and implements symbolizing the eighteen paths and expedient ways followers may gain enlightenment. Compare the present with a related figure from the collection of Eric and Betty Bass, sold in these rooms, 26th March 1996, lot 3, and another sold in our London rooms, 12th-14th July 2006, lot 466.