Early 20th Century Meiji Japanese Gilt Bronze Buddha Kannon Gold Statue Kyoto Japan Altar Temple

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Description

A Meiji Japanese gilt bronze figure of Buddha, Standing Tsukiji on a double lotus base over an octagonal pedestal, in … Read more A Meiji Japanese gilt bronze figure of Buddha, Standing Tsukiji on a double lotus base over an octagonal pedestal, in front of an ogival mandorla* (almond or leaf shaped)

The Buddha's hand gesture (mudra) semui-in (fear not), symbolizes the dispelling of fear and the granting of wishes, yogan-in (wish-fulfilling) mudra, the mandorla decorated with flying clouds and scrolling karakusa

The figure of the Buddha standing with feet slightly apart with hands held in varadamudra**, the gesture of the fulfilling of the vow, draped in loose robes falling in regular folds at the chest, waist and below the hips, encircled by a narrow, knotted waistband, the large, wide face with finely arched brows centering a small urna above downcast eyes delineated by slightly bulging lids and slender, crescent-shaped lower lids, with pendant ears and high coiffure of regular rows of coiled hair framing the face, the back of the head and back open; the figure set on a high triple-tiered lotus base resting on a lotiform support rising to a pierced gallery supporting another lotiform tier cast with large outer lotus leaves on which rests the lotus flower stand for the figure.

12 x 4 x 4 inch
Weight: 5 lbs

* The 'mandorla' also known as 'prabhamandala', positioned on the back of the Buddhist deity forming not a simple rounded halo but an aura-like form. The wealth of imagery on them also has religious significance as they allow for visualisation and meditation.

** The Varadamudra or Abheeshta Mudra is a mudra, a symbolic gesture featured in the iconography of Hindu and Buddhist religions. It indicates a gesture by the hand and symbolises dispensing of boons. It is represented by the palm held outward, with the fingers outstretched and pointing downwards. See less