A Tibetan gilt bronze frieze, a He Chaozong blanc-de-chine Guanyin, and Zhang Daqian's paiinting "Louhan's Crossing" are the marquee votive items in Gianguan Auctions' sale on Monday, March 18th. 

“Louhan’s Crossing” is a relatable interpretation of Bodhidharma fording a stream to spread the word. In earlier paintings by other painters, the louhan rode a reed across the waters. Zhang Daqian portrays the stooped elder with robes tied up above his knees, a staff in his right hand, while the left rests on the head of a supporting attendant. Spare of stroke, the artist has depicted the monk with bushy eyebrows, sagging cheeks and high nose. Dated 1946, signed Zhang Yuan, the ink-and-color on paper has four artists seals. It is Lot 182,

The painting headlines a collection of Buddhist art and statues. Among the more unusual is a 13th/14th century Tibetan gilt bronze thangka frieze of the Avalokiteshvara. Embossed in high relief, the enlightened one is posed in pralambopadasana on a stepped throne with hands in dharmachakra mudra. Dressed in an elaborate dhoti festooned with beads of coral and turquoise, he is surrounded by floral stems on either side and elaborately chased scrolling images. The back is embossed with Tibetan letters, possibly a mantra. Lot 131.

Equally uncommon is a bronze Ming statue of seated Guanyin leaning on a stack of sutra, sacred scriptures. Of serene countenance under domed Unisa, the deity wears a gilt robe open at the chest to display a beaded necklace. Elaborate chasing decorates the meticulous folds of the gown. The base is sealed with a plate inscribed with a varja. Of the period, the 22” tall statue is impressed with the Yongle six character mark. It is Lot 135.

 A sublime votive offering is the blanc-de-chine ceramic statue of Guanyin by He Chaozong, a 17th c. master potter exceling in the technique of Dehua kilns. This figure of Guanyin is finished overall in an ivory tinged glaze.

The elegant figure that sits in dhyanasana on a plinth of lohans and lotus blossoms was likely created as a commission for a specific monastery. Its fingers, raised in abaya mudra, are long and delicately shaped, an indication of male energy. The eyes and smile exude the serenity of meditation. A distinctive cowl hugs the head and is seemingly unique among similar works by He Chaozong.

In molding the robes, He Chaozong’s artistry duplicates the softness of “pure cloth” used in monastic clothing. The shawl falls in five graduated folds above a cascading wrap that lies between the lateral folds of the Guanyin’s concealed legs.

Notably, the deity possesses attributes not only of Guanyin but also of Avalokitesvara, Buddha, Bodhisattva, Sakyamuni or Maitreya. In the Gianguan catalog, it is cast as a Guanyin, which can be seen as either the female mother who brings forth children or the male bestowing benevolence. The back of the figure is impressed with four characters within a square, the seal of He Chaozong Yin. The blanc-de-chine Guanyin measures 15¼ inches tall.

The large collection of Guanyins and meditative art includes examples carved of red jade, Tianghuang and shoushan stone, polychromed bone and gilt bronze. Estimates range from under $1,000 upwards. For the catalogue, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com. The sale will be conducted live at Gianguan Auctions' West 56th Street gallery, off of Fifth Avenue, beginning at 6:00 pm. Live previews open next Tuesday, March 12 and run through Sunday, March 18. The auction will also be carried on invaluable.com, artron.net, and liveauctioneers.com