A rare large bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha Tibet, ca. 14th century | 西藏 約十四世紀 銅釋迦牟尼佛坐像

This rare and early Tibetan bronze depicts Buddha Shakyamuni seated in the meditation posture, vajraparyankasana, with his right hand raised in vitarka mudra, the gesture of argumentation. The sculpture is notable for the extensive and deeply incised decoration depicting floral and elliptical textile designs on the hems of the Buddha’s robes, and the large inset pendant jewel at the left shoulder, cf. the engraving and pendant jewel motif on a seated bronze Buddha in a Beijing Museum collection, see China Tibetan Buddhist Bronze Statue Art, People’s Fine Arts Publishing House, 2001, p.p. 87-88, cat. 29. The finely modelled head is separately cast with engaging downcast eyes, a full sensuous mouth with bow-shaped upper lip, and a tall ushnisha surmounted by a large cintamani jewel.