A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGLE

seated in vajraparyankasana with hands in bhumishparsha mudra on a double-lotus base with slender pointed petals between beaded edges, the deity rendered clad in a robe loosely draped over the left shoulder and cascading in voluminous folds around the feet, further portrayed with a serene countenance framed by a pair of pierced long pendulous earlobes, all below an ushnisha atop hair neatly arranged in rows of small whorls, the upper surface of the base incised with a six-character reign mark

Sarkisian's Oriental Rugs & Fine Art, Denver, Colorado, acquired in India, early 1960s.
An American private collection, acquired 7th July 1980.

Very good overall condition. With scattered areas of minor wear to gilding, and traces of polychrome to the hair. Minor compression to the finial atop ushnisha. Baseplate intact.
"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."

The historical Shakyamuni Buddha is envisaged in this statue seated at Bodh Gaya in eastern India, having vowed to remain in meditation to penetrate the mystery of samsara. He was interrupted by the demon hordes of Mara, the 'lord of the senses'. The Buddha overcame their attempts at seduction and distraction, and in defiance moved his right hand from the meditation position to touch the ground before him. The gesture, bhumishparsha mudra, signifies the moment of triumph over Mara in calling the earth spirit to witness his claim to enlightenment.

This classic iconography of Shakyamuni Buddha is famously represented in two complete Yongle altar shrines, one in the British Museum, illustrated in Wladimir Zwalf, ed., Buddhism: Art and Faith, London, 1985, cat. 305, and the other from the Speelman Collection, sold in these rooms, 7th October 2006, lot 808. Yongle reign-marked images of Shakyamuni Buddha in this smaller scale are relatively rare. Only one was recorded in Ulrich von Schroeder's survey of Tibetan monastery collections, preserved in the Potala Palace, illustrated in Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Hong Kong, 2001, vol. II, pl. 358A; another, with the reign mark erased, is now in a private collection, Ulrich von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong 1981, pl. 146D.

A closely related Yongle gilt-bronze Shakyamuni from the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter collection was sold in these rooms, 7th October 2010, lot 2142. The size and iconography of the current figure is identical, but the form of the current figure slightly differs, more slender in proportion with higher sloping shoulders. The treatment of the elegant lotus pedestal also departs from the standard convention of Yongle bronzes, more sharply defined and curving out at the tips. The overall condition is good, and it retains the consecration plate beneath engraved with the designated visvavajra.

Other Yongle reign-marked gilt-bronze figures of Shakyamuni include a classic version in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Splendors from the Yongle (1403-1424) and Xuande (1426-1435) Reigns of China's Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2010, p. 244, pl. 118, and the large example (55 cm) sold in these rooms, 8th October 2013, lot 3075.