A significant antique Himalayan Buddhist gilt bronze Shakyamuni Buddha exhibiting bhumisparsa mudra, the earth touching gesture. This gesture signifies Shakyamuni's moment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. 1750 - 1850.
Buddha is seated on a lotus throne in the Vajraparyanka pose displaying the bhumisparsa mudra, the earth touching gesture, calling the earth for witness. His right hand rests on his knee palm drawn inwardly, with the fingers reaching for the ground. His left hand, with palm outstretched, faces upwards. In this pose the calm and contemplative facial features are enchanting.
The bhumisparsa mudra signifies Shakyamuni's moment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The urna, or dot, on the forehead and the usnisa, topknot, denote his awakened attributes.
The form, casting techniques and worn gilding with a red-copper underlayer date this Shakyamuni Buddha to 1750 - 1850. It was cast in gilt bronze using the lost-wax method with post cast engraving in the a Newar workshop in Nepal, or perhaps a Tibetan workshop imitating the Newar style.
The fire gilded surface and intricately incised detail on the back and sash confirm this is a ritual piece, not a tourist or later reproduction piece. The tall flame finial, the regular snail shell curls and punch marks around the ushnisha confirm a late 18th / early 19th attribution.
As do rubbed areas on high points and redish underlayer, typical features of 150 - 250 year old devotional pieces.
This significant artefact is one of several bronze Buddhas and Mandalay-style wooden Buddhas we have recently sourced from the deceased estate of an important, single owner British collection.
Please look carefully at the photographs as they form part of the description.
Height: 34 cms. Width of lotus base: 23 cms. Depth: 18 cms. Weight: 4.0 Kgs.
Price: £255.00.
Postage: £16.95. UK mainland dispatch by ParcelForce 48 Tracked and Signed For courier service. For overseas dispatch, please refer to details of eBay's GSP, Global Shipping Programme, by clicking on SEE DETAILS in the postage section under the BUY IT NOW button.
SKU number: 12815.
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