A large gilt copper alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Nepal, circa 14th century

Acquired in New York, 2003.

This magnificent large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, depicted at the moment of enlightenment, pays testament to the skill of Newar artisans, famed for their exquisite aesthetic sense and foundry skills.

In the Nepalese tradition, the sculpture is brilliantly gilded and richly decorated with sumptuous gem settings, including lapis lazuli, turquoise and coral intricately inset in lozenges around the headband and at the shoulder. The Buddha is robed in a simple diaphanous cloth clinging closely to the body, with only the edges showing a band of decoration consisting of a repeated chevron design. The Newar sculptural aesthetics of grace and sensuous modelling imbue the statue with serenity, while the Tibetan love for opulence is seen in the turquoise inlays.

The Buddha is depicted seated in vajraparyankasana, the right hand held in bhumisparshamudra and the left in dhyanamudra. The earth-touching gesture of bhumisparshamudra recalls an episode from his spiritual biography in which he triumphs over Mara (maravijaya) just prior to his enlightenment. Having vowed to remain in meditation until he penetrated the mysteries of existence, Shakyamuni was visited by Mara, a demon associated with the veils and distractions of mundane existence. The Buddha remained unmoved by all the pleasant and unpleasant distractions with which Mara sought to deflect him from his goal. According to some traditional accounts, Mara’s final assault consisted of an attempt to undermine the bodhisattva’s sense of worthiness by questioning Shakyamuni’s entitlement to seek the lofty goal of spiritual enlightenment and freedom from rebirth. Aided by spirits who reminded him of the countless compassionate efforts he had made on behalf of sentient beings throughout his many animal and human incarnations, Shakyamuni recognised that it was his destiny to be poised on the threshold of enlightenment. In response to Mara’s query, Shakyamuni moved his right hand from his lap to the ground before him, stating, ‘the earth is my witness’. This act of unwavering resolve, which caused Mara and his army of demons and temptresses to disperse, leaving Shakyamuni to experience his great enlightenment, is a moment skilfully captured in this exquisitely modelled and brilliantly gilded large sculpture.

A closely related but smaller Nepalese 14th century gilt-copper alloy figure of Buddha was sold at Christie's New York, 19th March 2014, lot 1010. See also another gilt-copper alloy figure of Buddha, possibly Tibetan, of similar size to the present example, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 26th May 2021, lot 103, from the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter collection.