Northern Wei Gilded Bronze Seated Shakyamuni Buddha Statue with Mandorla, Northern Wei Dynasty 386-534 CE

拍品描述

Dimensions: 18 cm (7.09 inches) in height, 11.4 cm (4.49 inches) in base width, 518 grams, Northern Wei Dynasty (5th-6th century AD). Condition and Provenance: The entire Buddha statue is well-preserved, with no cracks, damage, or signs of repair. Most of the surface retains a thick layer of original gilding, and the halo and base edges exhibit natural turquoise-colored verdigris. All mineral crusts are natural deposits, not artificial rust. The Buddha's facial features are clear and sharp, showing no signs of wear; the details of the robe patterns, halo flame patterns, double beasts, and offering reliefs on the base are clearly visible. The hollow base retains natural red rust and layers of verdigris, with only minor gilding loss due to natural aging; there is no severe gold leaf peeling or damage. This Northern Wei gilt bronze Buddha statue was originally purchased from an antique dealer in Bangkok and later acquired in 2000 by a private Buddhist art collector in California, USA. California, Bangkok, and Paris are major global centers for the trading of Buddhist sculpture antiques. Description: This complete gilt bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, is a prime example of early medieval Chinese Buddhist art. Cast as a single piece, the statue comprises a large halo of flames, a seated Buddha, a double-layered square base, and a pair of guardian lions. The main Buddha has a prominent forehead and soft, rounded facial features, reflecting the elegant and delicate aesthetics of the early Northern Wei period. The Buddha's right hand forms the abhaya mudra (gesture of reassurance), while the left hand holds a ritual implement. The Buddha sits cross-legged on a lotus throne. The robes covering the entire body are fluid and simple, depicting a clear sense of fabric layering. A large peach-shaped halo surrounds the Buddha, adorned with layers of swirling, spiraling flame patterns, symbolizing sacred light and adding to the solemn and devout atmosphere. The double-layered square base below is exquisitely crafted: the upper layer features symmetrical carvings of crouching mythical beasts at its four corners, while each panel of the lower four-door base is adorned with a shallow relief of a worshipper, surrounded by flowing scrolling patterns, all meticulously detailed. The Buddha statue, with its thick bronze core and gilded surface, retains a large area of its original gilding after over 1500 years of burial, exhibiting naturally layered red, green, and blue patina, proving it was untouched at the time of its excavation. The Northern Wei period represents the golden age of Chinese Buddhist sculpture; small, portable gilded bronze Buddha statues were the primary offerings for believers in ancient times. This piece is renowned for its complete structure, intact decorative patterns, and well-preserved gilding, perfectly preserving the unique artistic language of early Northern Wei Buddhist art. It not only possesses immense academic value in Chinese art history but also holds significant collector appeal, widely recognized as a rare treasure by seasoned North American Buddhist sculpture collectors.

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