A FINE DARK-PATINATED BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYIN17th or possibly early 18th century Seated in a form of maharajalilasana or royal ease, with right leg laid vertically and the left knee raised, she holds a ruyi scepter in her right hand whilst leaning with her right arm on a tripod stand all supported on a pierced rockwork base with various swirling peaks, her robes open at the chest to reveal rich jewelry, her hair tied in braids and coiling down her shoulders, the face with a soft and exquisite expression. 7in (17.7 cm) high 十七或十八世紀初 水月觀音銅像 For two examples of Guanyin seated in a similar pose, one in Dehua blanc de chine, the other in soapstone, and each dated to the seventeenth century, see Robert H. Blumenfield, Blanc de Chine, The Great Porcelain of Dehua , Berkeley/Toronto, 2002, pp. 65 and 101, figs C and A respectively.