NORTHEASTERN INDIA OR TIBET, PALA PERIOD, 12TH CENTURY

Details

A bronze figure of Akshobya
Northeastern India or Tibet, Pala Period, 12th century
Seated in dhyanasana over a double-lotus base with beaded rims, his right hand in bhumisparsa mudra and his left held over his lap, wearing a closely fitted robe with beaded hems and the corner draped over his left shoulder, his face with heavy-lidded eyes and raised urna and his hair arranged in tight curls, the double-vajra placed before him
9 in. (22.6 cm.) high

Provenance

European trade, before 2000

Literature

Rossi and Rossi, Buddhist bronzes from the Sandor P. Fuss collection, 2007, cat. no. 3

Lot Essay

While there is considerable debate over Pala period bronzes produced in India versus closely related examples produced in Tibet, possibly by Indian craftsmen, the construction of the base with integrated seams to secure a baseplate for consecration follows a Tibetan convention. For a further discussion, compare with a very closely related example at the Norton Simon Museum, see P. Pal, Art of the Himalayas and China, 2003, cat. no. 88, p. 134f.

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