Extremely rare bronze figure of Shadakshari Lokeshvara, covered by a marvellous fire gilding and inlaid with semi-preciuos stones. This very high quality sculpture is a rare example illustrating the introduction of Nepali artistic traditions into Chinese art during the Yuan dynasty. The bodhisattva's square face and minimal clothing derive from Indian and Himalayan conventions, the appearance of which in Chinese Buddhist art is usually traced to Anige (1245–1306), a young Nepali artist who first worked for a monastery in Central Tibet and was later introduced to Khubilai Khan by the monk Chogyal Phagspa, the first state preceptor of the Mongol Empire. Anige played an important role at court, where he was eventually appointed Controller of Imperial Factories. Not many other examples of sino - tibetan gilt bronzes of the Yuan era are known, and can be distinguished from tibetan works by virtue of their peculiar style and casting technique, as the present example. The austere architecture of the lotus petals adorning the base of this figure, showing both elegance and extraordinary sobriety, is also very distinctive of sino - tibetan bronzes of Yuan period, and totally differs from similar examples cast in Tibet or Nepal in the same age. Strongly contrasting with the apparent simplicity of the base, this bronze shows a great refinement in the details that characterise the ritual jewels of the Bodhisattva, especially the splendid tiara adorning his head. Despite of the relatively small size, the casting is quite heavy, giving to this sculpture a very solid appearance. In the zones where the gilding has been worn away, the copper alloy is exposed, showing a beautiful chocolate - brown patina due to age.    For a stylistical comparison with another example of the same era and origin (but slightly later than ours, and showing a more "tibetanised" aesthetic), see the gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara, 14th century, presented in the picture nr. 2, from Sotheby's catalogue of Important Chinese Art, New York, 13 - 14 september 2016, lot nr. 158.