Details
- Title : An exquisitely cast and chased Nepalese gilt bronze figure of Buddha
- Year : 19th/early 20th century
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Gilt-bronze
- Dimension : H.: 12 in., 30.5cm
- Accession No : 365
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Freeman’s Auction USA
- Status : Sold
- Provenance : Acquired by the great-grandfather of the present owner, Admiral James Victor Query, when stationed in the Asian theater during WWII (prior to 1950) Thence by descent to the present owner
- Estimated at : $15,000 - $25,000
- Sold for : $9,375
- Lot Details and Catalogue Note : Of commanding scale, depicting either the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, or Akshobhya, Lord of the Eastern Pure Land. The Buddha with a gentle smile and lowered eyes, the urna an incised spiral, the curls on his head and the scrolls on the borders of his robe individualy chased; seated in padmasana, with the right hand in earth-touching mudra, the left bearing a bowl of ambrosial nectar, all upon a double lotus-petal base, further incised with stylized stamens, cross hatching and running fret, the underside with a copper plate incised with a double vajra. NOTE: the present figure is remarkable for the degree of elaboration and intricate handwork to the fine details of the hair, face, draperies and base. The delicacy of modeling and treatment of details appear to relate to much earlier models from the early Malla period, 13th century, such as the nepalese gilt-bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, sold Christie's New York, December 2, 2015, lot 2902. See also the Nepalese head of a Buddha, dated to the 17th century, illustrated in Pratapaditya Pal, "Nepal, where the Gods are Young", Kyoto, 1975, p. 30, no. 7. Provenance: Acquired by the great-grandfather of the present owner, Admiral James Victor Query, when stationed in the Asian theater during WWII (prior to 1950) Thence by descent to the present owner