Page 68 - Christie's London Fine Chinese Ceramics Nov. 2019

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH COLLECTION
61
A RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI
MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY OR EARLIER
The Buddha is seated in vajrasana on a double lotus base with beaded rims before a mandorla formed
of lotus buds. The right hand is held in bhumisparsa mudra, the gesture of 'touching the earth', and the
left hand is held with palm facing upwards on his lap, centred with an integral bronze pin likely to have
supported an alms bowl. The serene fgure has downcast eyes and the forehead is centred with an urna.
The fgure wears a robe, draped over the shoulders and open at the chest, the hems with beaded details
and incised foral scrolls. The lotus base is cast to the lower register with an unusual design of a leafy stem
scrolling around lotus buds with three distinct centres: striped, ring-punched and dotted. The underside
base plate is sealed.
7Ω in. (19 cm.) high
£50,000-80,000 US$62,000-99,000
€57,000-90,000
PROVENANCE:
Private English Collection, acquired in the UK in the 1970s.
The fgure contains metal sculptures as part of its consecration and is a rare example of an early
sculpture with its consecration intact. The X-ray reveals the presence of at least two metal sculptures:
a miniature Buddha and a Buddhist stupa. The Buddha is seated in padmasana on a lotus throne, his
left hand help in dhyanamudra. The process of consecrating a Buddhist sculpture was an elaborate
ritual executed in accordance with canonical texts describing the process in detail. The most important
part of the ritual was flling the sculpture with relics, for the vast majority comprising paper scrolls with
mantras. In special circumstances, the lama included metal sculptures of deities and ritual objects
associated with a renowned Lama. For a discussion on the consecration of Buddhist sculptures, see the
essay by G. Leonov in Wisdom and Compassion, The Sacred Art of Tibet, M Rhie and R. Thurman, New
York, 1991, pp351-353.

明十五世紀或更早 鎏金銅釋迦牟尼佛生像
來源:
英國私人珍藏,於1970年代購自英國

(x-ray) (x-ray detail of miniature Buddha and stupa)

66 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.