Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Likely 14th or 15th century, this sculpture of Shakyamuni is finely cast in gilt bronze in the Malla style, the Buddha is seated in
dhyansana with his hands in
bhumisparsa mudra wearing a
sanghati that covers the left shoulder only, its border decorated with a large rice grain motif and beaded edge, his hair is a collection of dense high relief spirals with remains of blue pigment that was created by mixing ground lapis lazuli with animal glue, a
ushnisha gilt protrudes on top of his head, his face is broad with an
urna between two arched eyebrows above downcast eyes with some white pigment visible, a thin and straight nose above lips gently smiling. He has prominent elongated earlobes and three lines around his neck, hollow to underside. This sculpture of the Shakyamuni Buddha illustrates a fusion of artistic styles, combining Newari traditions together with the tastes of the Yuan court within Tibet.
15 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 in.
Compare with other examples from the 13th or 14th century offered at Christie's, Hong Kong, May 31, 2017, Lot 2804 and Christie's, New York, March 27, 2003, Lot 142, and an earlier 12th century sculpture iin the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 2012.458).
Good condition with expected wear from age, tarnishing, notable rubbing to gilt, scattered scratches to surface, some scattered surface losses; some verdigris; remains of blue pigment to head; eyes has some loss to pigment; turquoise to forehead is lost.
