A RARE PAINTING OF A COSMIC BUDDHA 17TH CENTURY

ink and color on silk, finely painted with an image of Buddha seated in dhyanasana on an elaborately detailed lotus throne, both hands resting on the lap, the right in abhayamudra, the left in vitarkamudra, adorned with a 'Five Dhyani Buddha' crown, surrounded by a nimbus of light against multi-coloured clouds, with a floating canopy and flying apsarases scattering flowers above

An American collection.
Sotheby's New York, 18th March 2014, lot 401.

The painting has areas of wear, consolidation and horizontal creases with losses from repeated rolling. The halo has small areas of overpainting. The top edge has a tear, and the painting has possibly been reduced in size. However, the painting is fine and the colors are vibrant.
"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."

By the middle of the Ming dynasty, large votive paintings were hung within private shrines and the side halls of temples. In particular, paintings of Buddha, such as the present lot, were used in the Water Land Deliverance Ritual, in which deities from higher realms are called upon to relieve beings from lower realms of existence from their suffering. A painting of Buddha, attributed to the 15th century, was included in the selling exhibition Footsteps of the Buddha. Masterworks from Across the Buddhist World, Sotheby’s New York, 2013, cat. no. 21.