A GILT-BRONZE VOTIVE FIGURE OF SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA AND PRABHUTARATNA BUDDHA NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY, DATED TO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE JINGMING PERIOD (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 502)

cast as Sakyamuni Buddha and Prabhutaratna Buddha, depicted seated in dhyanasana against a flame-shaped mandorla on a splayed four-legged plinth, each deity framed by an incised flame-shaped mandorla picked out with striated flaming motifs, all below stylised motifs at the pointed tip, the reverse with a seated figure of Buddha surrounded by a flame-shaped mandorla, the front of the plinth incised with a scroll band above two figures, possibly the patrons, the sides and reverse of the plinth with a dedicatory inscription dated to the second month of the third year of the Jingming period (in accordance with 502) and an indistinct inscription visible in places, translating to 'for parents' and 'a figure of Prabhutaratna', wood stand

Collection of Sato Gengen (1888-1963).

Good overall condition. The gilding is very well preserved, with just minor areas of rubbing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A closely related figure in the Nara National Museum, dated to 504, is illustrated in Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum, Nara, 2010, p. 136, cat. no. 168; and another, dated to 503, was sold in our New York rooms, 7th December 1983, lot 80.

See also two of the most famous figures of this type in museum collections, illustrated in Hugo Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Tokyo, 1967, pls. 33 and 34, the first, a heavily Gandharan-influenced stele in the Nezu Museum, Tokyo, dated to 489, the second in the Musee Guimet, dated to 518. The figures on the current sculpture are more stylised but still radiating energy and spiritual intensity. Like the Nezu example, the current example is intricately incised with two donors. See also a near identical figure illustrated in Saburo Matsubara, Chugoku No Choukoku: Sekibutsu. Kondobutsu/Bronze and Stone Sculpture of China From the Yin to the Tang Dynasty, Tokyo, 1966, pls. 62a-b.

For detailed information on the iconography of this piece see the notes to lot 3206 in this sale.