19th-20th century AD. A steatite figurine of Buddha carved in the round, seated cross-legged on a dais with frieze of seated and standing figures to the front face. The figure represents the emaciated Buddha. Before reaching enlightenment the Buddha practiced extreme austerities in the pursuit of knowledge, such as starving himself. Images show a skeletal body with the veins and sinews visible under the skin. Such extreme practices only brought about pain, the very thing that the Buddha was trying to be free of, and so he abandoned his austerities and instead found that a middle way of not being too harsh or indulgent was the best means of pursuing his goal of enlightenment. 10.4 kg, 27cm (10 1/2"). From an important London collection, acquired in the 1970s. [No Reserve]

Fine condition; head absent.