TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Votive gilt-bronzes of the 'Teaching Buddha', with right hand raised and left hand resting on the knee, became extremely popular from the turn of the eighth century. Two related gilt-bronze figures in the collection of the Shanghai Museum are illustrated by S. Matsubara, Chuugoku Bukkyo Chokokushi Ron (The Path of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture), vol. 3, Tang, Five Dynasties, Sung and Taoism Sculpture, Tokyo, 1995, pl. 720 A and B. Compare, also, the smaller (9.5 cm.) Tang dynasty gilt-bronze figure of a bodhisattva, sold in these rooms, 17 September 2008, lot 390.