IMPORTANT FIGURE OF BUDDHA AKSHOBHYA.
Tibet. 13th/14th c.

Light-colored bronze with thin residue of gilding; with inlays of copper and some residue of pigments. Sitting in vajra pose on a lotus base with an engraved vajra before him; his hands in dyana and bhumsparsha mudra. His expressive face and the taut body tension convey the imperturbable countenance he is symbolizing. The kasaya garment; draped on his left shoulder and in front of his feet falls in elegant folds. It is adorned with a border inlaid in copper with engraved patterns. The earlobes are elongated from wearing heavy earrings; the urna is distinctly accentuated. In the face at the mouth and eyes as well as at the leaves of the base traces of a vivid red pigment; maybe cinnabar; are preserved; the hair is painted in lapis lazuli.

The plate; which closes the base; is probably original and shows a finely engraved stylized lotus blossom including the eight Buddhist treasures with a double vajra in the center. The base is filled with strips; which might be paper or fabric; or probably straw. Other objects might be embedded; but these do not clearly show in the X-ray images. Weight 481g; height 14cm; width 10;2cm; depth 6;8cm. Condition A/B. Two older repairs from the casting.

The careful workmanship and the exceptional quality of the design clearly show that this piece stems from a major workshop.

Provenance:
-Private collection Rhineland. Acquired ca. 1990 at Hollywood Galleries; Hong Kong.

The figure underwent a radiologic investigation. For the x-rays please contact us via e-mail: asia@van-ham.com
Art trade; Van Ham.