A gilt-bronze standing figure of Buddha

Unified Silla Dynasty (8th - 9th century)

Details

A gilt-bronze standing figure of Buddha
Unified Silla Dynasty (8th - 9th century)
Cast in the front with drapery falling from the chest to ankles in u-shaped folds, the right hand raised in abhayamudra (no fear) and the left hand lowered, the hair arranged in rows of snail-shell curls rising to the low usnisa, the reverse side pierced with three oval holes
7 ¼ in. (18.4 cm.)

Provenance

Auriti Giacinto (1883-1969), Italian ambassador to Japan 1933-1939
Mayuyama Co., Ltd, Tokyo, 1970s

Sale room notice

Please note although the lot is displayed with a stand, it is for display purpose only and is not sold with the lot.

Lot Essay

The Unified Silla period from the late seventh through the ninth centuries was one of political stability when an international style held sway throughout East Asia. This figure shows refined style of Buddhist sculpture from early Unified Silla Dynasty. The hands are in mudras signifying fearless and boundless mercy with the strong legs and feet.
For a figure in similar style in the collection of Nezu Museum, see the Museum Yamato Bunkakan, Special Exhibition, Korean Gilt-bronze states of Paekche and Silla Period from Japanese Collections (Nara, 1982), exh. cat. no. 26.

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