Liao‑Jin Dynasty Painted‑Bronze Bell‑Shaped Vessel With Buddha Decoration

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 29 cm (11.42 inches), Width 12.5 cm (4.92 inches), Weight 2550 g; Period: 10th-13th centuries; Condition and Provenance: This bronze vessel is heavy, with the top hanging ring and hole intact. The bronze surface exhibits multiple layers of original burial patina, with naturally diffused green corrosion and soil deposits. There are large ancient cracks and defects at the bottom. The painted Buddha images on both sides are largely intact. Mineral pigments have peeled and faded due to age. The geometric patterns at the rim are well preserved. The painted layers are firmly attached to the bronze base. There are no signs of modern repainting, artificial patina, later repairs, or welding. It retains its original excavated state. This piece comes from a private collection in Los Angeles, California, USA. This Liao-Jin painted bronze bell-shaped Buddha vessel was acquired in the 1990s by a California collector specializing in Northern Steppe Buddhist artifacts from an antique gallery in Paris. This Liao-Jin period painted bronze bell-shaped ritual vessel has been kept in a temperature-controlled, dust-proof cabinet for private academic research and collection only. It has never been consigned for auction or publicly exhibited. Description: This Liao-Jin period painted bronze bell-shaped ritual vessel is cast in bronze, conical in shape, gradually widening at the bottom, with a perforated ring at the top for hanging. Both the inner and outer sides are decorated with seated Shakyamuni Buddha images painted with mineral pigments. Each Buddha image has a circular halo and sits cross-legged on a lotus pedestal. One hand is in the teaching mudra, and the other is in the mudra of joining hands. The Buddha images are surrounded by scrolling leaf and cloud patterns. The upper edge is decorated with triangular geometric patterns. The surface of the vessel is covered with mottled soil and varying shades of green patina. The pigments were painted directly onto the bronze base. This vessel is a rare example of a painted bronze Buddha image from the Liao-Jin period, faithfully showcasing the style of Buddhist art from the northern steppes. Although the lower part of the vessel is damaged due to its excavation, the core painted Buddha image is well preserved. This artifact is of extremely high value for the study of Liao and Jin Buddhist art, the study of Northern bronze craftsmanship, and archaeological collection.

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