A RARE GILT-BRONZE VOTIVE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

finely case as Sakyamuni Buddha seated on a high plinth resting on four splayed legs, against a flame-shaped mandorla cast in relief with three dhyani figures, framing the head of the seated Buddha, the mandorla densely decorated with swirls of ferocious flames along the edges and encircling each small Buddha, the splayed sides and reverse of the plinth with traces of a dedicatory inscription, with indistinct characters muni, indicating for Sakyamuni, the reverse of the mandorla undecorated, wood stand

Saburo Matsubara, Zoutei Chugoku Bukkyo Choukoku Shi Kenkyu [Chinese Buddhist Sculpture - A study based on bronze and stone statues other than works from cave temples], Tokyo, 1966, pl. 37c.

The figure is in good overall condition, and the gilding is very well preserved, with just small areas of rubbing. There are small chips and bruises to the edge of the mandorla, and other minor surface wear. There is malachite-green oxidisation to the surface, with insignificant loss of detail in places. The inscription on the plinth has faded in places and become indistinct.
"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."

Skilfully cast with a fluid depiction of Sakyamuni Buddha, framed by a powerful flaming mandorla, the modelling of the face and treatment of the robes, which fall in undulations across the legs, evoke the Hellenistic style so present on Gandharan sculpture and reveal the strong Indian influence still present on bronze Buddhist sculpture of the Northern Wei period.

The iconography and large size of the figure is extremely rare, although another gilt-bronze figure of Buddha, surrounded by three smaller images of Buddha, in the Shodo Museum, Tokyo, is illustrated in Mizuno Seiichi, Chugoku No Choukoku: Sekibutsu. Kondobutsu/Bronze and Stone Sculpture of China: from the Yin to the T'ang Dynasty, Tokyo, 1960, pl. 107A. The Shodo Museum figure, incised with an inscription dated to the 13th year of Taihe, corresponding to 489, is stylistically very close to the current figure in form and iconography, with identical treatment of the figures, their drapery, and intricate detailing on the flaming mandorla, suggesting that the current figure may also be of the Taihe period. Compare also a gilt-bronze figure of identical iconography, incised with an inscription dated to the 22nd year of the Taihe reign, corresponding to 498, included in the exhibition Rijucho Jidai No Kondobutsu (Gilt Bronze Figures from Six Dynasties), Izumishi Kuboso Kinen Museum, Osaka, 1991, no. 62, and sold at Christie’s New York, 19th/20th September 2013, lot 1460.

For a Northern Wei gilt-bronze figure of similar quality sold at auction, see the figure of Buddha surrounded by the five Wisdom Tathagatas, dated 5th year of Huangxing, corresponding to 471, included in the exhibition Chugoku Kodai Choukoku Ten (Exhibition of Chinese Ancient Sculpture), Nihonbashi Takashimaya, Tokyo, 1959, no. C.7, and sold in our New York rooms, 14th September 2011, lot 315.