A GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF THE INFANT BUDDHA CHINA, 17TH CENTURY

the precocious baby wearing a bib decorated with dragons, pointing to the heavens with his raised left hand, and to the earth with his lowered right, standing in a basin surrounded by nine dragons, supported on a waisted plinth with strongmen at the corners

A section of the balustrade in the front has been repaired. There is wear and some losses to the lacquer, in some places there appears to be gilding beneath. There is age consistent wear and the underside has been reinforced with wood.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This iconographic form of the infant Buddha is based on the story of Buddha’s birth. It is believed he was born already able to walk. He immediately took seven steps and with each step a lotus blossom sprang from the earth to prevent his feet from touching the ground. Such images are therefore usually portrayed standing on a lotus blossom, such as the figure sold in our Paris rooms, 12th June 2013, lot 160; and one in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated in René-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argencé, Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture in the Avery Brundage Collection, Tokyo / New York, 1974, pl. 185.

Then, in a move foretelling his eventual enlightenment, he pointed to the sky and earth and proclaimed “I alone am the World-Honored One! This is my last birth. There will be no more rebirths”.  He and his mother were then showered with blossoms and sparkling water pouring from the sky.  In Chinese art, the showers of water are often depicted issuing from the mouths of divine dragons. In the present lot the dragons are shown surrounding the basin of water in which the infant is to be bathed. A Ming dynasty example with a waisted stand was sold in these rooms, 19th November 1082, lot 100.