A DATED GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, DATED 495

cast seated in dhyanasana with arms folded in dhyanamudra, the robes falling into neat pleats, the face with a meditative expression and the hair piled up into a high chignon, all supported on a stepped plinth raised on four feet, the reverse with an inscription dated nineteenth year of Taihe (corresponding to 495), wood stand and Japanese wood box

Tokubetsu tenji Rikuchō jidai no Kondōbutsu [Gilt-bronze statues from the Six Dynasties], Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Osaka, 1991, cat. no. 13.

The figure is in good condition with the exception of a 1mm., diam., hole to the side of the head and two further tiny holes possibly original to casting, and scratches and rubbing to the gilded decoration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The production of Buddhist images, in particular small portable figures such as the present piece, proliferated during the Taihe reign of the Northern Wei dynasty. A similar figure of Shakyamuni Buddha seated in dhyanasana on a stepped pedestal is illustrated in Saburo Matsubara, Chūgoku bukkyō chōkokushi ron [Historical discussion of Chinese Buddhist sculpture], Tokyo, 1995, vol. 1, pl. 66, no. b; and another complete with the backing mandorla, in the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, is published in Rokucho no bijutsu [Arts of the Six Dynasties], Tokyo, 1976, pl. 279.

Compare also two examples attributed to the Southern Dynasties (420-589), the first from the Duan Fang collection, dated in accordance with AD 437, the second with AD 494, illustrated in Osvald Sirén, Chinese Sculpture, New York, [1925] 1970, vol. 2, pls 16a and 16c.