A finely cast gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Tibet, 14th century | 西藏 十四世紀 鎏金銅釋迦牟尼佛坐像

The finely cast image of Buddha is typical of Nepalese workmanship during the fourteenth century, most likely made for a Tibetan patron, cf. the prominent beaded hems and the engraved robe designs of a ca 14^th century Tibetan Buddha in the Essen Collection, see Gerd-Wolfgang Essen and Tsering Tashi Thingko, Die Götter des Himalaya, München, 1989, p. 24, cat. I-1 . It has certainly been among the peoples of Tibet or Mongolia where the practise of ritually painting the face of statues is done to enliven the gods. The vajra resting on the upper surface of the lotus pedestal symbolises the vajrasana site at Bodh Gaya, Bihar where the historical Buddha is said to have meditated before attaining enlightenment. The earth-touching hand gesture represents the moment he called on the earth goddess Prithvi to witness his triumph over the demon Mara and claim his right to enlightenment.