Northern‑Wei‑Period Polychrome Wood‑Carved Shakyamuni Buddha With Mandorla

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 86 cm (33.86 in.), Width 49 cm (19.29 in.), 5th-6th century. Condition and Provenance: The main group of figures is well-preserved. The wood shows signs of natural aging and drying; some original paint remains, while other layers have peeled and faded. The openwork carvings show slight signs of age, with no signs of modern splicing or restoration. This piece is from a private collection in Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from an antique dealer in Bangkok in 1992. Original archival documents and early exhibition records are well-preserved. Description: This painted wooden Shakyamuni Buddha statue from the Northern Wei period, complete with a mandala, is a high-quality, large-scale Buddhist wooden sculpture from the Northern Dynasties. The central Shakyamuni Buddha sits in a lotus position on a multi-tiered lotus pedestal. The Buddha's face is serene and compassionate, wearing a wide-sleeved monk's robe, with hands in the teaching mudra. The large, openwork tree-shaped mandala is ornately decorated with flying celestial maidens, canopies, and dangling pearl strings; the deities' postures are elegant and fluid. Flanking the main Buddha are bodhisattvas, while guardian beasts are carved further out. The base is adorned with guardian deities, mythical beasts, and figures of worshippers. The entire Buddha statue is richly layered and compactly composed. Traces of the original red, green, and black polychrome painting are still preserved. The carving strokes are vigorous and powerful, with flowing lines, perfectly embodying the renowned "delicate elegance" aesthetic of Northern Wei art. Well-preserved large-scale wooden Buddha statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty are extremely rare today. This statue perfectly preserves its complete mandala and all the attendant figures. It is a valuable material reference for the study of Northern Wei Buddhist iconography, ancient wood carving techniques, and polychrome painting art. Its patina, naturally formed over hundreds of years, further endows it with exceptional artistic and collectible value.

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