Important bronze subject with beautiful patina representing - Lot 100

Important bronze subject with beautiful patina representing "Jiz0 Bosatsu" (Ksitigarbha bodhisattva "matrix of the Earth"), one of the eight great bodhisattvas and one of Amida's disciples, seated in lalitasana on a gilded wooden lotus, his left leg resting on a carved wooden rock. He is depicted as a monk, surrounded by his mandorla, dressed in his monastic "kesa" habit, eyes half-closed, a slight smile expressing serenity, and holding the Buddhist "hoju" jewel in his left hand, symbolizing Buddha's teachings and his benevolence towards human suffering. Incised calligraphy on the back of the sculpture indicates the Buddha's name "Jizo" and situates the sculpture in the temple of "Shi tenno Ji". Japan, Edo period, 18th century, H: 70 cm N.B. Similar model of the bodhistattva Kshitigarbha on Mount Osore in Japan. Shakujo probably missing from right hand.