Title: Bore Boluomi Duo Xinjing (The Heart Sutra) and Five of the Thirty-Three Aspects of Guanyin, Circa 1935-1963. A Manuscript of the Heart Sutra, and Five Paintings of Guanyin with Accompanying Calligraphy, by the Cousin of the Last Emperor of China
Author: Attributed to Pu Ru, or Han Yutang; After Mu Xi
Condition: Very Good
A rare mid 20th century manuscript edition of the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya, also known as the Heart Sutra of the Great Perfection of Wisdom, or the Mó Bē Bōrě Bōluómì Duō Xīnjīng, translated into Chinese. While modern sutras are not typically rare, this example has been penned by and is attributed to Pu Ru, or Han Yutang (1896-1963), a member of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, and cousin to Puyi, Last Emperor of China.
Additionally, there is also a suite of five paintings and calligraphy, each one depicting a different aspect Guanyin, the Bodhisattvas of compassion, also known as Avalokiteśvara. Each painting has been beautifully done in black ink and is signed and stamped with his artist seals. The paintings look to be after the style of Muqi (1210-1269), a Chinese Chan Buddhist monk and major artist of the Song Dynasty. It should be noted that Puru began producing more of these Guanyin paintings sometime after 1935 up to his death, which does help to narrow down a rough date of production.
All the paintings and calligraphy are accentuated with hand drawn borders in blue, with clouds, tiny, winged figures, and decorative designs in repeat, and it is rather clear these have been done by hand with the minute differences between each design.
Compare these smaller Guanyin compositions to the larger examples produced by Pu Ru, being Lot 1524 sold at the Christie’s Sale of 28 November 2017, Lots 1252 and 1384 at the Sotheby’s Sale of 01 October 2017, and Lot 748 at the Bonham’s Sale of 28 November 2011.
Born into the Manchu Imperial family of the Qing dynasty with the given name Pu Xinyu, Pu Ru was a Chinese painter, calligrapher, and poet, renowned for his mastery of traditional literati painting, being a cousin of the last emperor, Puyi. His aristocratic background afforded him an education steeped in Confucianism, poetry, and the arts, shaping his elegant and refined artistic style. Following the fall of the Qing dynasty, He devoted himself to painting and calligraphy, becoming one of the most celebrated artists of his time. With the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xinyu relocated to Taiwan, where he continued to paint and teach. His legacy has been long lasting in Chinese painting, and his continue to be acquired by determined collectors and institutions.
The paintings and calligraphy have been laid down and bound in a scroll for preservation, with a beautiful brocade decorated cover of geometric designs against gold, and there is a core roller made of lacquered wood,
The last 270 cm of paper are completely blank, and it’s likely there was an intention to further this series of Guanyin depictions at some point.
One brocade bound handscroll of calligraphy backed with illuminations, roughly 20 x 600 cm full length
This handscroll is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the brocade. There are two creases at the beginning and end, and some minor spotting and soiling throughout