China, Northern Song Dynasty, ca. 960 to 1127 CE. This is a wooden statue of the Buddha decorated with lacquer and gold leaf. He stands with his knees slightly bent atop a lotus pedestal, his hands in the abhaya mudra, the "gesture of fearlessness". He wears a long flowing robe with stylized, symmetrical undulating folds and a serene facial expression. His robes are stylistically related to a group of Buddhist images cast in bronze from the Dali Kingdom period in Yunnan Province, but the style dates to the six dynasties period. This is a beautiful early depiction of the Buddha reflecting northern Chinese artistic styles from a time period that the Metropolitan Museum of Art describes as one of China's greatest artistic flowerings -- the level of intimate detail carved into his hair, robes, and face are amazing. This Buddha is contemporary with a moment in history when an artisan class separate from the Imperial Court began to create personalized, less rigidly descriptive art. Size: 13-3/4" H x 5" L x 4-1/2" W (35 cm x 13 cm x 11 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Private Northern Colorado collection.

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#110423

Although there is some wear to this piece, it is in excellent condition for its age. It has a deep, rich patina.