Antique Gilt Bronze Buddha Statue
Samantabhadra
Anjali Mudra
Origin: China. Circa: early 1900S'
H 17 in.(43cm), W 11.5 in.(29cm), D 8 in.(20cm)
Condition: gilt loss, o.a. very good

Samantabhadra is a widely worshipped bodhisattva frequently seen in temples throughout China and Japan. He is the personification of the Great Round Mirror-like Wisdom, the Buddha of the southeast. Here this heavy cast bronze depiction of the Buddha reveals a wealth of details. With youthful facial features, downcast almond-shaped eyes, large elongated earlobes and tightly knotted snail-curve hair.

Most noticeable the robe of Samantabhadra is wrought with an intricate design, which covering both front and back are an embossed motif of approximately 108 Buddhas. His joined hands in adoration (anjali mudra) is in fact a gesture of the coexistence of the two inseparable laws of the womb and the diamond, a reminder of the reciprocal nature of cause and effect, static and dynamic, spiritual and material. There is some gilt loss otherwise this unique piece is in very good condition. The bronze statue is attributed to the late Qing to republic period in early 1900s'.