A rare Chinese gilt-bronze figure of Guanyin, Yuan/early Ming Dynasty, 13th-15th century. The bejewelled figure draped in long ribbons, with the Amitabha Buddha positioned at the front of the elaborate headdress, seated elegantly on a pierced rockwork platform with a small pedestal on each side, 23.25 cm high. Provenance: Sotheby's Melbourne, 25/5/1998. From the private collection of Robert Bleakley, cataloguer of Tibetan and Indian art, London, 1978-1982. Founding CEO and chairman of Sotheby's Australia, 1982-1998. For a similar gilt-bronze figure dated 14th century, see The Avery Brundage Collection, (B60 S566)