An unusual tileworks architectural panel of Buddha China, Ming Dynasty

the rectangular grey pottery panel molded with the Buddha seated in dhyanasana upon a large lotus flower rising from swirling waters, the hands clasped in a mudra before the chest left bare from the loose robes, the face with meditative expression flanked by large earlobes and framed by the 'snail-shell' curls of hair, leaving a rounded bump at the domed usnisha below a rounded finial, all against a lobed mandorla of concave double-rings, with traces of an ochre slip overall (stand)

Large stoneware tiles were most likely used to clad small chapels or devotional niches in small regional temples. Compare the posture of the figure with a rare bronze Buddha, cast with an inscription dated the sixth year of the Longqing reign (1572), sold in our London rooms, 18th November 1998, lot 820. Other tilework panels are known with Ming sancai glazes, compare one with multiple dhyani-buddhas and incised names, in that same sale, lot 866.