A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA, seated in vajraparyankasana on a double-lotus base, with hands held in dhyanamudra, wearing a pleated robe draped over the left shoulder and falling in loose folds over his legs, with the undergarment gathered at the chest, the serene face with downcast eyes and a meditative expression flanked by long pendulous ears, the hair arranged in tight curls covering the ushnisha and surmounted by an ovoid jewel, inscription at the back of the lotus base. Ming dynasty, 15/16th century, height c. 27 cm, weight c. 2845 g.

NOTE:
The inscription at the back of the lotus base 'Xinnu Guo shi Hui ming zao' can be interpreted as 'The Buddhist laywoman of the family Guo, and Hui by name, made [this statue]'. The term 信女 (= Sanskrit upāsikā) describes a religious Buddhistic woman that has achieved certain knowledge, but she isn't a nun. (Soothill, A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms, p. 296) och Cho Myông-gi et al. 韓國佛敎大辭典 Han’guk Pulkyo tae sajôn, Vol 4, p. 41, Seoul 1982).

Stockholms Auktionsverk would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Staffan Rosén and Doctor Bengt Pettersson for interpreting the inscription.

PROVENANCE:
Mr Tore Utter (1880-1953) and Mrs Inez Utter (1890-1968) (maiden name Bonnier).

LITERATURE:
Svenska hem i ord och bilder, Stockholm 1922, image p. 109.

Wear. Later bottom plate. Construction defects, dents and burstings. Please contact elisabet.fellbom@auktionsverket.se for more information.