Chinese
Antique Carving Shakyamuni
Buddha
Practicing Austerities
Dated: Qianlong Reign, Circa: Qing,
1735-1795 H
5 in.(12.7cm), W 3 in.(7.5cm), D 2.5 in.(6.3cm) Measurement
Excluded Wood Base This
statue depicts Prince Siddhartha at a time he was practicing asceticism in the
land of Magadha. During this time, he rigorously engaged in meditation without
food, consumed only a few seeds and water from the near by banks of the Nairanjana
River. After six years, Siddhartha remained unable to attain his goal. Then one
day, he went bathing in the river and accepted a rice ball from the hand of Sujata,
a maiden who belonged to the untouchable caste, and came to the realization that
severe asceticism can only wear out the body, thus depriving the strength he needed
to attain the path to enlightenment. A
profound story told elegantly by a master carver. This skin and bone figure of
Shakyamuni is finely realized in a realism unique in the Qing style. The image
of Shakyamuni is in exhaustion, yet his facial expression reveals a kindly and
spirited realization, which is likely portrayed through an inspired Buddhist carver.
The statue has a cream white patina, a golden tint of yellow in the back of the
figure, and a few small hair lines typical of its age.
Private Collection See
a netsuke version... | |