Page 66 - Bonhams Art from the Scholar's Studio, September 16, 2013 NY

Property Formerly in the Collection of Konrad and Clara Mauerer
8104
A large gilt and lacquered bronze Buddha
17th century
Seated in dhyanasana on an integral lotus base and plinth, wearing simple robes with cast lotus
pattern foliate borders, the robes open at the chest revealing a wan symbol, the rounded face with
a serene expression with the hair curled in tight knots that surround the usnisa, each petal of the
three layer lotus base cast with a lotus pattern in relief.
31 1/2in (80cm) tall
$100,000 - 150,000
Provenance:
Acquired by the Mauerer family in China before 1939 and thence by descent.
This Buddha holds a myrobalan in his right hand, positioned in the gesture of bestowal,
varadamudra. The myrobalan, or healing aruna fruit, and this mudra suggests the statue depicts
the Medicine Buddha (Ch: Yaoshi Fo) or Bhaisajyaguru-- a popular deity in the Chinese Buddhist
pantheon for those seeking healing from illness or pain.
Two other large cast bronze Buddhas have been sold recently in our San Francisco rooms. See
the statue most likely depicting the Amitabha Buddha with hands held in the dhyanamudra of
meditation from the collection of Dino Bigalli, Maestro of the Chicago Civic and Light Opera, lot
8210 of sale 19433, December 20th, 2011. Lot 5056 from sale 20089 of December 10th, 2012
was another example of a massive cast bronze Buddha supported by an elaborate lotus petal
throne, this figure displaying the bhumisparsamudra, and thus most likely depicting the historical
Buddha Sakyamuni.

64 | Bonhams