Korean rarity comes to Bonhams

This Korean gilt bronze figure of the deity Chijang Bosal or Ksitigarbha is dated to the Goryeo dynasty (13th-14th century).

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

Korean gilt bronze figure of the deity Chijang Bosal or Ksitigarbha, dated to the Goryeo dynasty (13th-14th century) – estimated at $800,000-1.2m at Bonhams New York.

It is a highlight of the 115-lot sale of works from the collection of Drs Edmund and Julie Lewis to be offered for sale by Bonhams in New York during the September series of Asian art sales in the Big Apple.

While representations of Ksitigarbha are commonly found in Japanese art, they are extremely rare in Korea: only one other Goryeo-dynasty Korean bronze figure of the deity is known in a Japanese private collection, notes the auction house. It is estimated at $800,000-1.2m.

The Lewis collection sale, on September 11, also features Japanese lacquer boxes, Buddhist sculpture, inro, ceramics and contemporary Japanese art.