A MAGNIFICENT LARGE LATE MING GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI

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A MAGNIFICENT LARGE LATE MING GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI
17TH CENTURY

The figure cast seated in vajrasana on a double-lotus base, the hands in the mudra of the turning of the Wheel of the Law, Dharmacakra mudra, the palms and base of feet incised with the Wheel of Transmigration, falun, the hair arranged in rows of small whorls, surmounted by an usnisa, the serene face with an urna above downcast eyes, the ears pendulous with vertical slots, wearing a monk's patchwork robe across one arm and over the shoulders to reveal a bare chest, the garment falling onto the base in crisp folds, traces of blue pigment remaining
17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm.) high

Lot Essay

In Buddhism, the circle formed by the thumb and the index finger represents perfection that has neither a beginning nor an end; this principle is applied to the Law of the Buddha which is thought to be perfect and eternal.

A similar seated figure with hands forming the same Dharmacakra mudra, inscribed with a cyclical date corresponding to 1662 and dedicated to the Buddha Dipankara, from the collection of John M. Crawford Jr., is illustrated by Von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, fig. 152E.

(US$100,000-150,000)

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