Dated: Xuande reign, Ming, circa: 1426-1435
H 21.7" (55cm) x W 12.5" 32cm x D 9.5" (24cm)
Consecrated, excellent condition!
This large Buddha sculpture shows an unmistakable influence from a 10th century Tibetan
style Maitreya prototype (Currently in the collection of The State Hermitage ,
Leningrad). Executed by a Chinese master, the Future Buddha represented here is
sitting in a benevolent pose (bhadrasana), with both legs pendant, and his hands
held in front of his chest, poised in the dharmacackra mudra, his face with benevolent
expression, delicately arched eyebrows, pearl shaped circular urna, almond shaped
eyes slightly down cast, and a smiling bow-shaped mouth clearly indicates his
distinctive Chinese origin. More noticeably, the rectangular base and flows of
draperies in an almost completely symmetrical design, absence of ornaments and
incised patterns on the Buddha's Ming Court imperial robe are stylistically in
the Ming tradition. Since the bronze is dated Xuande (1426-1435), Buddhism of
the time was imbued with strong Confucius influence. Hence, the Tibetan image
of Maitreya remains true to its form, but distinctively transformed with the elegant
Ming style in a Chinese Buddha.