Bronze with fire gilding and lacquer coat, China. Ming dynasty, ca. 16th cent.

A rare, bronze piece of first-class workmanship. Buddha is sitting in padmasana (lotus position) and holds a medicinal plant in one hand in a position similar to the gesture varada (wish granting). The fingers of the other hand are just playing around a bit and do not form a real mudra. The tall, erectly held torso is iconically striking and the chest is bare and fire gilded, as are the face, ears, soles of the feet, and hands. The facial features have a caring and satisfied expression. The cheeks are full and the chin is framed by a semi-circular line. The eyelids are finely curved and almost closed. The head and ushnisha (cranial protrusion) are proportionally dominant and accentuate the spiritual axis. One should not conceive of the “medicine Buddha” in too narrow a sense, since such a Buddha symbolizes the perfect “healing” teachings, which come from Buddha himself. On the forehead there is a small button shaped bump, the urna, and on the front of the ushnisha a golden jewel. The clothing covers both shoulders and features with many folds. The borders are decoratively engraved with the motifs of blossoms, tendrils and pearled edges. The same can be seen on the undergarment on the figure’s stomach, which features a bow. On the soles of both feet there is a dharmacakra symbol (wheel of Buddhist doctrine). On the areas which are not fire gilded, the statue has a painted coat with gold pigment, many remnants of which are still present. A very similar bronze Buddha of about the same size (39 cm) was offered by Nagel auction.de as lot no. 697 at an auction on Nov. 3rd, 2012 with an estimated price of 60-80,000 euros.

HEIGHT 38 CM

From a private collection in Klosterneuburg

鑲金青銅造藥師佛尊坐像。中國，明代。高38厘米，稱7.96公斤。 克洛斯特新堡市私人舊藏。

Expertise: Wolfmar Zacken