Page 64 - CHRISTIE'S Buddhist Art Japanese Collections 09/14/17

The depiction of Buddha seen in this gilt-bronze fgure is seen in other gilt-
bronze fgures that were often part of large gilt-bronze votive assemblages or
altars, as well as in larger fgures in stone. The dyhanasana pose, the position
of the hands, the simple monk’s robes that fall in graceful folds around the
body, the style of the hair and ushnisha, and the shape and expression of the
face are emblematic of these votive fgures made during the Tang period. For
three other fgures of similar type, see Matsubara Saburo, Chugoku Bukkyo
Chokokushi ron (The Path of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture), vol. 3, Tokyo, 1995,
pl. 709 a, b, c, as well as the fgure illustrated in pl. 643 b. See, also, the altar
group centered by a similar fgure with an openwork aureole behind the head,
but seated on a diferent type of base, which is fanked by two miniature
guardian fgures, all raised on a stand, in the British Museum, illustrated in
Comprehensive Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Buddhist Statues in Overseas
Collections, vol. 4, Beijing, 2005, pl. 878, where it is dated Tang dynasty.

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