An almost identical figure of Buddha was sold in these rooms December 2, 1989, lot 49. These examples bear close comparison with that example, except for the hand positions which differ in each case. The other details and scale are near identical. Even the carved wood stands appear to be the same. However, the single Buddha previously sold was incised on the base with a dedicatory inscription which read, "(offered on) the first day of the fourth month in the 45th year of Wanli, (Wan li si shi wu nian si yue chu yi ri)" which corresponded to 1617. It is therefore fair to assume that this lot was produced at the same time and, presumably, for the same temple.

Each figure depicts a different mudra, therefore they may once have formed a triad or perhaps a group of five figures.

See also a pair of massive lions on waisted plinths sold in these rooms June 1, 1990, lot 209, believed to be from Shaanxi province, which again utilized a similar fahua technique of applying a polychrome glaze on a biscuit-fired body, which was usually colored in a deep purplish-blue, turquoise, yellow and aubergine glaze. See also Burlington Magazine Monographs, 1925, Chinese Art, for an advertisement for Knudsen Romand & Co., Paris, 47 Rue Laffitte, for another comparable example, 4 ft. 6 in. high, glazed in dark blue and aubergine found in Wouen-tseu (sic) Grotto Tehe-li (sic) province and dated Jiajing (1522-1566). A label on each base reads "Early Ming Buddhas, Met Art Museum". By repute exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, prior to World War II and possibly from the Widener Estate or that of Samuel Edward Bole