Beschreibung:

A magnificent and exceptionally large gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha Ming dynasty, 15th / 16th Century of superlative casting and finish, the high-backed near-life-sized figure emanating power and spiritual energy in its naturalistic proportions, the massive figure cast seated in dhyanasana on a waisted pedestal encircled by two tiers of elaborate lotus lappets between bands of pearlised bosses, the left hand in dhyanamudra, the mudra of meditation, and the right hand bent with palm down before the right knee in bhumisparsamudra, the 'earth-witnessing' gesture, his torso draped in a loose robe, falling across one arm and around the shoulders while leaving the chest bare, the robes skillfully chased and incised with bold lotus-scroll bands and detailed borders of composite flowers at the hem, cascading onto the base in crisp folds, some turning over to reveal the finely punched diaper with chevron border of the interior lining, the serene face with a hollowed urna above downcast eyes and a bow-shaped mouth, the flanking ears with pendulous lobes pierced with vertical slots, the tightly curled hair depicted through an array of small bossed whorls piling high upon a domed ushnisha below a spherical cintamani 'jewel' finial, brilliantly gilded overall except for the hair, which bears traces of blue pigment, the urna later inset with ruby stud, pedestal stand 37 in., 94 cm