Page 47 - Fine Chinese Ceramics Sept 2016

1230
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF
VAIROCHANA
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
The Primordial Buddha sits in dhyanasana
with the hands clasped in a form of
vajramudra. He is clad in voluminous robes
with hems elegantly incised with a foliate
pattern. The face is serene in expression
and surmounted by a tiara with diminutive
Buddha images.

16º in. (41.3 cm.) high

$40,000-60,000

The present gilt-bronze fgure of Vairocana
is an excellent example of its type,
exhibiting fne casting, especially in the
hems of the robes and the openwork
crown. Vairochana is considered to
be the Great Solar Buddha of Light
and Truth, and is the Bliss Body of the
historical Buddha in Buddhist Law.
Vairochana is also considered one of
the Five Dhyani Buddhas, also known
as the Five Wisdom Tathagatas, which
are representations of the fve qualities
of the Buddha. The latter is represented
by the fve diminutive Buddha images
in the crown of the present fgure.

A few related examples in gilt-bronze
have been sold at Christie’s; in particular,
compare the present work with a
gilt-bronze fgure of Vairochana sold at
Christie’s New York on 15 September 2011,
lot 1383.

明 鎏金銅大日如來坐像

45