Bodhisatvas Quam Am and Thé Chí; Vietnam, Annam... Lot 38

Bodhisatvas Quam Am and Thé Chí; Vietnam, Annam historical region, XVIII-XIX centuries. Wood lacquered in red and gold. Work exhibited at Feriarte 2007, Sculpture Highlights Maastricht and BOAF: Brussels Oriental Art Fair 2008. Measurements: 87 x 61 x 51 cm; 87 x 55 x 44 cm. Pair of bodhisattvas made in red lacquered wood and gilded in face, torso and hands, a technique characteristic of Vietnamese art. The term bodhisattva designates a being who, by the systematic exercise of the perfect virtues, attains Buddhahood, but renounces to enter the complete Nirvana in order to help and guide all beings, until all of them are liberated. His determining quality is compassion, supported by wisdom and supreme knowledge. A bodhisattva gives active help and is ready to take upon himself the suffering of all beings and to transfer his karmic merit to others; logically, they are the object of veneration by the believers, who feel them closer and see in them guides and help in their needs. The golden age of Vietnamese art was that of the Sham kingdoms (200-1720), although today it is a relatively little studied civilization. To a large extent, this is because the great achievements of Vietnamese culture are not to be found in the fine arts, but in literature. Nevertheless, a brilliant artistic industry developed, although deeply marked by the aesthetic, philosophical and religious ideas of China. However, some genuine artistic manifestations were maintained, such as the water puppetry, and there will also emerge distinctly Vietnamese phenomena such as Caodaism, a sect originated in 1919. Work exhibited at Feriarte 2007, Sculpture Highlights Maastricht and Boaf: Brussels Oriental Art Fair 2008.