Tibetan Shakyamuni Buddha Gilt Bronze Statue Sealed Double Vajra 7.5”

Details

Description

Finely detailed Tibetan/Himalayan-style gilt bronze or gilt copper-alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, seated in meditation upon a lotus-form base.

The … Read more Finely detailed Tibetan/Himalayan-style gilt bronze or gilt copper-alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, seated in meditation upon a lotus-form base.

The Buddha is depicted in the classic bhumisparsha mudra, or earth-touching gesture, with his extended right hand reaching toward the earth and his left hand holding an alms bowl. This iconography represents the moment of Shakyamuni’s enlightenment. Comparable authenticated Tibetan figures use this same combination of earth-touching hand and alms bowl.

This is an especially decorative example with parcel-gilt surfaces, blue-painted tightly curled hair, painted facial details and an extensively decorated dark robe with raised floral and foliate ornamentation. Gilt borders accent the robe and lotus-form base.

The underside retains a reddish metal sealing plate decorated with an engraved double-vajra / crossed dorje design. Sealed bases with double-vajra decoration are a traditional feature of consecrated Tibetan Buddhist sculpture.

Measures approximately 7½” high × 5” wide × 4” deep.

There are two projecting metal remnants/brackets on the reverse: one rises behind the neck and appears to have been cut or broken, while another projects from the lower rear of the base. These strongly suggest that the figure originally had an additional separately attached element, quite possibly a halo or mandorla/backplate, which is now absent. This should be considered part of the condition. There is otherwise typical age-related wear, patina, rubbing and surface variation. Please examine all photographs carefully.

Age and exact geographic origin are unverified; offered as a Tibetan/Himalayan-style Buddhist bronze based upon its iconography and construction. See less