A LARGE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF BUDAI

QIANLONG-JIAQING PERIOD (1736-1820)

Details

A LARGE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF BUDAI
QIANLONG-JIAQING PERIOD (1736-1820)
The laughing deity is modelled with a broad smiling face between two pendulous earlobes. He is seated leaning on a large sack with his left leg tucked under and his right leg drawn up, the shoulders and extremities draped in a flowing robe which opens to reveal his ample belly. He holds a rosary and an ingot in his hands. The base is incised to the centre with a flower head.
13 ¾ in. (35 cm.) wide

Provenance

Sold at Christie’s London, 1 December 1997, lot 272
Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3780

Brought to you by

Priscilla Kong

pkong@christies.com +852 2978 9958

Lot Essay

The monk Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, who is the Buddha predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future. Typically depicted with a joyful expression and wearing loose fitting robes to reveal his plump stomach representing contentment and abundance, Budai is also associated with the protection of children and is often shown with small children playfully climbing on his belly or back.

More from Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All