What is a Sino-Tibetan Manjushri bronze statue?

A Sino-Tibetan Manjushri statue represents the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, crafted in a style that synthesises Chinese imperial metalwork techniques with Tibetan Buddhist iconography. Figures typically portray Manjushri holding a flaming sword of wisdom in the right hand and seated upon a double-lotus pedestal.

What materials and casting methods were used to create these statues?

These sculptures were created using the lost-wax casting technique, predominantly employing copper alloy or bronze. The surface was subsequently gilded using mercury fire-gilding, with cold gold painted on the face and hand-carved detailing applied to the base and ornaments.

How can authentic antique Sino-Tibetan bronzes be identified?

Authentic pieces from around 1800 display distinct wear patterns to the gilded surface, natural copper oxidisation inside recessed areas, and hand-chased tooling marks along the base seams. Many original pieces retain a sealed copper base plate enclosing consecration offerings.

How can a Sino-Tibetan bronze sculpture be styled in a modern interior?

This type of sculpture functions as a focal point on a dark wood sideboard, within a display cabinet, or atop a fireplace mantelpiece. Placing it against a neutral background accentuates the gilded surface and dark patina.

How should an antique gilt-bronze sculpture be preserved and cleaned?

Dust the surface gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush to prevent scratching the gold leaf. Avoid liquid chemical cleaners, polishes, or moisture, as these can strip historical gilding and alter the original patina.

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Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Name: Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1232210
Price: 14500 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Sandbanks Antiques

Description

Large Antique Sino-Tibetan Gilt-Bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, c. 1750-1780

An impressive and commanding altar-scale gilt-bronze figure of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, dating to the Mid to late 18th to century. Standing at a substantial height of 37 cm, this piece presents a rare combination of refined Imperial-revival aesthetics, rich material patination, and undisturbed ritual integrity.

Iconography & Posture

Form & Stance: The bodhisattva is seated in deep vajrasana (full lotus position) atop an expansive, crisply cast double-lotus throne. The posture is exceptionally graceful, featuring an elongated, elegantly cinched waist and balanced proportions that reflect traditional monastic craftsmanship.

Attributes: In his raised right hand, he wields the flaming sword (khadga) of wisdom, symbolizing the sharp intellect that cuts through ignorance and delusion. His left hand is held at the heart in vitarka mudra (the gesture of teaching), delicately clutching the stem of a blooming lotus that rises to support the sacred text of the Prajnaparamita Sutra.

Attire & Adornments: He is adorned in elaborate bodhisattva regalia, including an intricate tripartite crown framing the serene, downcast face, multi-strand beaded necklaces, armbands, and flowing celestial scarves (dhoti) that sweep dynamically around his torso and arms.

Coloring, Gilding & Age-Related Pat patina

The Alloy & Surface: Cast in a heavy, thick-walled copper-rich alloy, the bronze displays a warm, organic coppery undertone.

Fire-Gilding: Rich remnants of original, bright selective fire-gilding cling to the high-relief areas—highlighting the facial features, crown details, and the plump, rounded petals of the lotus throne—while contrasting beautifully against the darker, exposed bronze body.

Polychromy: The hair (tarani topknot) preserves significant traces of its original cold-painted azurite-blue mineral pigment, alongside subtle touches of traditional hand-applied pigment on the face, marking genuine ritual finishing.

Patination: The surface tells a clear story of age and atmospheric exposure, featuring natural oxidation, soft high-point rubbing from generations of handling, and stable integration of deep coppery-brown tones with subtle verdigris accents tucked into the recesses.

The Base & Ritual Construction

The Open Base & Interior: Viewed from the underside, the hollow-cast interior reveals traditional lost-wax casting textures, undulating structural contours, and natural oxidizing.

The Consecration Core (Zung): Crucially, the central aperture retains its original, untouched fibrous ritual packing (comprising rolled mantras and sacred materials), confirming that the interior has never been modernly gutted or altered.

The Seating Rim: The lower rim of the lotus base shows a flattened, organic seating edge with micro-abrasions and a smooth, unforced contour. It completely lacks modern machine tool marks, saw kerfs, or harsh filing, corroborating its genuine antiquity.

A museum-quality devotional bronze offering exceptional visual presence, untouched ritual contents, and a deeply atmospheric surface for the discerning collector.

Dimensions: Height: approx. 37 cm | Width: approx. 22.5 cm

Weight: Substantial and heavy

Period: Mid-to-Late 18th (Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period)

Provenance: Private Collection, London

Physical Dimensions

Height

37cm (14.57")

Width

22.5cm (8.86")

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Gilt Bronze Manjushri Statue to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1232210

Description

Large Antique Sino-Tibetan Gilt-Bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, c. 1750-1780

“

An impressive and commanding altar-scale gilt-bronze figure of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, dating to the Mid to late 18th to century.

Sandbanks Antiques

Standing at a substantial height of 37 cm, this piece presents a rare combination of refined Imperial-revival aesthetics, rich material patination, and undisturbed ritual integrity.

fig 1. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 1. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Iconography & Posture

Form & Stance: The bodhisattva is seated in deep vajrasana (full lotus position) atop an expansive, crisply cast double-lotus throne. The posture is exceptionally graceful, featuring an elongated, elegantly cinched waist and balanced proportions that reflect traditional monastic craftsmanship.

fig 2. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 2. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Attributes: In his raised right hand, he wields the flaming sword (khadga) of wisdom, symbolizing the sharp intellect that cuts through ignorance and delusion. His left hand is held at the heart in vitarka mudra (the gesture of teaching), delicately clutching the stem of a blooming lotus that rises to support the sacred text of the Prajnaparamita Sutra.

fig 3. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 3. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Attire & Adornments: He is adorned in elaborate bodhisattva regalia, including an intricate tripartite crown framing the serene, downcast face, multi-strand beaded necklaces, armbands, and flowing celestial scarves (dhoti) that sweep dynamically around his torso and arms.

fig 4. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 4. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Coloring, Gilding & Age-Related Pat patina

The Alloy & Surface: Cast in a heavy, thick-walled copper-rich alloy, the bronze displays a warm, organic coppery undertone.

Fire-Gilding: Rich remnants of original, bright selective fire-gilding cling to the high-relief areas—highlighting the facial features, crown details, and the plump, rounded petals of the lotus throne—while contrasting beautifully against the darker, exposed bronze body.

fig 5. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 5. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Polychromy: The hair (tarani topknot) preserves significant traces of its original cold-painted azurite-blue mineral pigment, alongside subtle touches of traditional hand-applied pigment on the face, marking genuine ritual finishing.

fig 6. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 6. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

Patination: The surface tells a clear story of age and atmospheric exposure, featuring natural oxidation, soft high-point rubbing from generations of handling, and stable integration of deep coppery-brown tones with subtle verdigris accents tucked into the recesses.

fig 7. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 7. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

The Base & Ritual Construction

The Open Base & Interior: Viewed from the underside, the hollow-cast interior reveals traditional lost-wax casting textures, undulating structural contours, and natural oxidizing.

fig 8. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 8. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

The Consecration Core (Zung): Crucially, the central aperture retains its original, untouched fibrous ritual packing (comprising rolled mantras and sacred materials), confirming that the interior has never been modernly gutted or altered.

fig 9. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 9. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

The Seating Rim: The lower rim of the lotus base shows a flattened, organic seating edge with micro-abrasions and a smooth, unforced contour. It completely lacks modern machine tool marks, saw kerfs, or harsh filing, corroborating its genuine antiquity.

fig 10. An antique Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri seated cross-legged on a double-lotus base, brandishing a flaming sword in his right hand. — fig 10. Large Antique Sino-tibetan Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri, C. 1750-1780

A museum-quality devotional bronze offering exceptional visual presence, untouched ritual contents, and a deeply atmospheric surface for the discerning collector.

Dimensions: Height: approx. 37 cm | Width: approx. 22.5 cm

Weight: Substantial and heavy

Period: Mid-to-Late 18th (Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period)

Provenance: Private Collection, London