Lot 308
308
An important and large gilt bronze figure of Buddha Akshobya
VARIOUS PROPERTIES
An important and large gilt bronze figure of Buddha Akshobya

TIBET, CIRCA 12TH CENTURY

Details
An important and large gilt bronze figure of Buddha Akshobya
Tibet, circa 12th Century
Powerfully cast seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base with the vajra placed before him, wearing a diaphanous dhoti gathered in fine undulating folds at his shoulder and bordered by beaded rims, his face with a benign expression with downcast almond-shaped eyes beneath gracefully arched brows, his hair neatly arranged in tight curls rising to a domed ushnisha, the shoulders applied with flanges for the attachment of a mandorla, richly gilt overall
26¼ in. (66.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Acquired in 2004
Private Collection, London since 1995
Private Collection, Hong Kong

Lot Essay

This bronze is remarkable not only for its size and quality, but for a unique set of stylistic influences that set it apart from direct comparables. The facial features relate closely to the Indian Pala period idiom, while the treatment of the drapery with the folds gathered at the shoulders points to a device popular in Nepal, again following Indian prototypes. The single strand necklace formed of large beads is characteristic for early Pala period style and also appears on Nepalese bronzes of Padmapani or Avalokiteshvara at that time, see for example P. Pal, The Arts of Nepal, Part I, fig. 200.

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