This Ming antique marble Buddha head is prodigious in stature and finely wrought in its detail. Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha and this statue shows the Buddha at the moment of his enlightenment. The eyes are rendered here with utmost elegance and grace. Nearly closed they still command a deep unspoken presence a state of peace and calm amongst all transpiring events. The face conveys a fleshy fullness that was considered an idealized state by the Chinese, a sign of deep repose and well-being. If you contemplate this Buddha from multiple angles you begin to understand the subtle finesse of the artist who rendered this marble into form. The unusually large head likely comes from an eight foot or taller statue. An excellent find from the era and a deep reflection of the Buddha’s state of equipoise. (SD)