18th/19th C. Gilt Bronze Guanyin on Dragon Throne

Mid-Qing Dynasty Guanyin on Dragon Throne - Forensic Provenance

This exceptional 1.8kg bronze represents Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, seated upon an architecturally complex dragon throne. While bearing an apocryphal Shunzhi mark, forensic internal analysis firmly places this piece in the Mid-Qing Dynasty (18th - early 19th century).

Technical Verification & Ritual Status

• Ritual Consecration (Zung): Endoscopic inspection of the head cavity revealed original droplets of Cinnabar (ritual red pigment), proving the statue was spiritually activated in a temple context.
• Traditional Casting: The presence of original iron chaplets (core supports) and armature wires within the bronze matrix confirms the lost-wax casting method used prior to industrial mass production.
• Surface Analysis: Protected recesses contain traces of original fire-gilding (mercury gilding), now encased in a hardened, greyish mineral patina consisting of azurite and malachite formations.
• Mechanical Integrity: Features a separately cast and hand-fitted Hu-tablet, demonstrating the high-level multipart assembly characteristic of the period.

Specifications

• Height: 25.5 cm
• Weight: 1.8 kg
• Material: Fire-gilded heavy brass alloy
• Period: Qing Dynasty (c. 1750-1820)

This item includes a full digital archive of the endoscopic and microscopic findings as proof of historical authenticity.