TIBETO-CHINESE, KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

Gilt bronzes in the Tibetan style dating from the Kangxi period are comparatively rare. After a highpoint during the Yongle Period (1403-24), a popular revival of Tibetan Buddhism under Imperial patronage was revived under the Kangxi Emperor during the second half of the 17th century with very finely cast examples of gilt bronze sculpture, before culminating in the mass production under Qianlong. Characteristically, the bronze is very heavily cast with slightly exaggerated triangular facial features and upper body and elongated limbs. The robes are very finely incised with densely patterned floral borders; for a futher example, probably of slightly later date, see Du Xianwu (ed.), Jintong foxiang, Tianjing, 1998, p. 71, cat. no. 80.