Description:
Life-Size Carved Wood Statue of Bonten, Japan, late 19th century, probably by Takamura Koun, copy of an eighth-century statue of Bonten in the Hokkedo (Sangatsudo [March Hall]) at Todai-ji in Nara, carved from Japanese cypress wood, remains from the original polychrome lacquered surface, ht. approx. 78 in.
Provenance: Given to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, by William Sturgis Bigelow in 1911. Deaccessioned from the Museum in 1964, and in a Massachusetts private collection since.
N.B. According to the old accession card the copyist was Takayama Koun, which may have been an incorrect transcription for the nineteenth-century sculptor who was associated with the early founders of the Japanese collection in the Museum of Fine Arts was Takamura Koun (1852-1934),also known for his Buddhist statues.
Estimate $10,000-15,000
condition is as seen in the catalogue image and addition photos online, cannot tell what "antiguing" the sculptor intended to make it look like the ancient original work