Circa: Ming or earlier. 14th-16th century
H. 15 in.(38cm), W. 11 in.(28cm), D. 12.5 in.(32m)
Weight: 97 LBS
Condition: minor chips, o.a. very good!
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)