This image is representative of a group of Buddhist figures made in China in the first half of the fifteenth century that display a style influenced by the art of Tibet. In the preceding century, under the Yuan Dynasty, the authority of Mongol Rulers had become closely associated with Tibetan Buddhist, or Lamaist, ritual. A tradition of Lamaist art was established in China which seems to be carried on in works such as the present example. Missions to Tibet during the early part of the Ming sought to maintain good relations with the Tibetan lamas. Images such as this one appear to have been made as gifts, as the inscription would seem to indicate, that were exchanged on these missions.

Compare with a Yongle-marked figure in a similar pose holding a varja (21 cm.) sold in Hong Kong, 26 October 1993, lot 318; another figure with a Yongle mark wearing similar attire but seated lalitasana, from a New York Collection, was sold in our New York Rooms, 3 December 1992, lot 141.

Closely related objects remain in the collections of the Jekhang and Potala Palace, in Lhasa. See Wenwu 1985, no. 11, pp. 66-71; also Ulrich von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, pls. 144-148.

A Xuande-marked figure in an identical pose and wearing similar attire from the Chang Foundation is illustrated in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, no. 65, p. 144.

(US$24,000-28,000)