Page 62 - Bonham's Asian Art London November 12, 2015

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A RARE AND LARGE GILT-LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF
BUDDHA
17th/18th century
Seated in dhyana, with his right hand raised and the left resting on
his foot, both in karana mudra, wearing long flowing robes over his
shoulders, tied at the chest, cascading into graceful pleats over
his legs, the face set with a contemplative expression, flanked by
pendulous ears, the hair arranged in tight curls surrounding the
ushnisha.
92.5cm (36 3/8in) high
£90,000 - 120,000
HK$1,100,000 - 1,400,000 CNY870,000 - 1,200,000
十七/十八世紀 木漆鎏金釋迦牟尼佛坐像
The striking wood figure of Buddha is expertly carved demonstrating
superb craftsmanship, naturalistically rendering the soft folds of the
robe cascading over the shoulders and gathering in ruyi shaped circles
around the knees, the contemplative face gracefully conveying the
benevolence of the deity.
The imposing size of the present lot suggests it would have been
worshipped in a temple or shrine.
The technique of coating carved wood figures with gilt-lacquer appears
to have emerged during the early part of the Ming dynasty, continuing
on to the Qing dynasty and echoing Buddhist bronze figures in form
and decoration.
Compare a related rare and large gilt-lacquered wood figure of Guanyin,
17th/18th century, sold in these rooms on 14 May 2015, lot 64.

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