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Lot Essay
The inscription on the back of the mandorla begins with a date, 22nd year, 12th month, 18th day, of the Taihe reign (corresponding to AD 498), followed by the name of the shrine's donor (Female monk fadu), and the name of a temple (Miaoyin si). The remainder of the text, which continues onto each of the four legs, goes on to say that this figure of Sakyamuni was dedicated to the donor's mentors and parents with the hope that they have a peaceful and free afterlife, and that the Buddhist faith will prosper.
This rare gilt-bronze votive shrine shares stylistic similarities with other examples of Northern Wei date, which, like the present shrine, have dated inscriptions. The robes of the Buddhas and the flames of the mandorlas on these shrines are similarly indicated by close parallel grooves. See Jen Shen, Hai wai ji Gang Yai can li dai fo xiangi: zhen pin ji nian tu jian (Catalogue of Treasures of Buddhist Sculpture in Overseas Collections including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Taiyuan, Shanxi, 2007, pp. 425-39, the dates ranging from 493 to 501. As with the present shrine, three other votive shrines of this type, illustrated by Jin Shen in Zhongguo lidai jinian foxiang judian (IIlustrated Chinese Buddha Images through the Ages), Beijing, 1995, nos. 12, 34, 52, and 81, have three small seated figures of Buddha surrounding the main Buddha figure within the flames of the mandorla. They also have dated inscriptions, corresponding to 451, 482, and 489, and 509.
This rare gilt-bronze votive shrine shares stylistic similarities with other examples of Northern Wei date, which, like the present shrine, have dated inscriptions. The robes of the Buddhas and the flames of the mandorlas on these shrines are similarly indicated by close parallel grooves. See Jen Shen, Hai wai ji Gang Yai can li dai fo xiangi: zhen pin ji nian tu jian (Catalogue of Treasures of Buddhist Sculpture in Overseas Collections including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Taiyuan, Shanxi, 2007, pp. 425-39, the dates ranging from 493 to 501. As with the present shrine, three other votive shrines of this type, illustrated by Jin Shen in Zhongguo lidai jinian foxiang judian (IIlustrated Chinese Buddha Images through the Ages), Beijing, 1995, nos. 12, 34, 52, and 81, have three small seated figures of Buddha surrounding the main Buddha figure within the flames of the mandorla. They also have dated inscriptions, corresponding to 451, 482, and 489, and 509.