A VERY RARE LARGE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI

Details

A VERY RARE LARGE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI
FIVE DYNASTIES

The figure finely cast seated in dhyanasana with feet concealed under the elaborate flowing robe cascading in 'waterfall' folds over the base, the right hand raised in abhaya mudra and left hand in varada mudra, the face with a serene expression under prominent eyebrows cast in relief, the eyes downcast in meditation, the long pendulous ears cut with vertical slots, the hair arranged in rows of small whorls and surmounted by a usnisa, wearing a carefully outlined triple-garment under a robe held together by ribbons continuing over the left shoulder (areas overpainted)
15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) high, wood base, box

Lot Essay

For a very similar gilt-bronze seated Sakyamuni dated to the Song period in the British Museum collection, see Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collection, Buddhist Sculpture II, no. 137. The casting of the British Museum version is remarkably close to the present example in that they share identical features including the face, folds of the garment, detailing of the 'waterfall' cascade over the base, and gesture of the hands. The British Museum figure, however, is of a much larger size (93.2 cm. high).

(US$200,000-230,000)

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