depicted seated with the right knee raised supporting both hands with one holding a scroll, clad in long flowing robes falling into voluminous folds and draped over by a shawl, the garments embellished by silver wire-inlaid clouds and scrollwork borders, opening to reveal the bare chest, the expression rendered serene and meditative, framed by pendulous earlobes and a cowl, the reverse similarly inlaid with a Shisou mark

An Irish collection since the 1970s, by repute.

Some minor wear and loss to the inlay as consistent with age. Minor casting imperfections as expected. Some minor rubbing and scratches to the surface and general surface wear.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Shisou, a legendary artisan, is believed to have lived at the end of the Ming dynasty and excelled in silver-inlaid bronzes, especially scholar's objects. The precise dates and biography of Shisou remain unclear, however, due to a lack of historical documents. For Shisou-marked seated bronze figures of Guanyin, see one example dated to the 16th to mid-17th century, illustrated in Emperor, Scholar, Artisan, Monk, Sydney Moss Ltd, London, 1984, pp. 280-281, no. 132; a figure reputedly from the collection of Kichirobei Yamaguchi, the founder of Tekisui Museum in Ashiya, Japan, but attributed to the 17th to 18th century, was sold in Christie's New York, 21st/22nd March 2013, lot 1282; and another example dated to the Ming dynasty, illustrated in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues, vol. 1, Beijing, 2001, p. 79, no. 40.