Page 24 - Bonhams Image of Devotion Hong Kong December 2, 2021

1007
A SILVER INLAID COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI
SWAT VALLEY, 8TH/9TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61731
18 cm (7 in.) high

HKD300,000 - 500,000

斯瓦特 八/九世紀 銅錯銀釋迦牟尼像

Surviving with an attractive forest-green patina, this finely modeled sculpture is a
classic Swat Valley rendition of Buddha Shakyamuni. Here, the historical Buddha
sits on a rectangular throne, which is supported by two lions at the front corners
and covered with a tasseled textile. The throne is elevated by a double-lotus
pedestal resting on a larger square base. According to Pal, placing Shakyamuni
on such a throne associates him with royal imagery and emphasizes his spiritual
sovereignty, while the lotus base symbolizes his divine quality (Pal, Indian
Sculpture, Vol.2, 1988, pp.68-9).

Shakyamuni’s enlightened nature is further signaled by the silver-inlaid eyes and
urna. Gently looking down with a compassionate expression, he extends his right
hand in the gesture of charity. With his left, he holds the hem of his robe. The
iconography of Shakyamuni holding his garment is widely employed in seated
Swat figures, extending the idiom from earlier Gandharan stone images. Compare
the throne, gestures, and the robe’s evenly arranged narrow folds with that of a
closely related example published in von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet,
Vol.I, 2001, pp.40-1, figs.6A-C. Also see Pal, Bronzes of Kashmir, 1975, pp.194-
5, no.73.

Provenance
Private Italian Collection

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