Gilt bronze
China, 18th century
Depiction of Sakyamuni Buddha in the lotus position on a double lotus base, decorated with a string of pearls
The hands are raised to the chest and perform the dharmacakra mudra, the gesture of turning the wheel of teaching
Fine black curls adorn the head and create a dome-shaped ushnisha with a round ketumala
The face has a meditative expression with a gentle countenance
The eyes are accentuated by color and the deep neck wrinkles as well as the long earlobes illustrate Buddha grandeur
A long kasaya robe with ornate hems covers the body and is laid on the base on
The base is decorated with a doube vajra symbol
Height: 30 cm
Good condition
Estimate by Auctionata Expert: 24,000 Euro

The figure of the Buddha is depicted with his traditional costume, a kasaya, a robe made from different patches of cloth. Compare a similar gilt bronze figure of the Buddha, but performing thebhumisparsa mudra, in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (accession no. 479.1996). The ornate but yet complex-swelling style of the overall figure is typical for gilt Buddhist bronzes of the 18th century. It reflects a political concept in which Buddhism was applied as a stabilizing power by the Qing emperors with special regards on the outer provinces of the empire. The proliferation of Tibetan Buddhist figures, during the 18th century is a proof of the religion's political and cultural importance. See also another Qianlong reign gilt bronze Buddha of similar size and appearance from the collection of the Asian Art Museum San Francisco (ID. B60B164). See also a bronze in the British Museum, illustrated in Wladimir Zwalf, Buddhism: Art and Faith, London 1985, no. 305.



Condition:

The figure is in good condition with only slight, usual signs of age and use such as little gold wear here and there. The height measures 30 cm.



Buddha Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama)

Siddhartha Gautama lived in Northern India circa 2,500 years ago. The epithet Shakyamuni refers to his princely origins and can be translated as ‘the wise man from the family of Shakya’. Born as a prince, Shakyamuni felt a deep compassion for the four sufferings of mankind (birth, aging, sickness and death) from an early age. Eventually he left his family to go on a spiritual journey. After a few years he attained enlightenment. As Buddha (‘the Awakened One’), Shakyamuni traveled all over India to share his wisdom with the people and promote peace. At the age of 80 Buddha Shakyamuni passed away and his teachings gave rise to the various schools of Buddhism.

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