Dimensions: 18-3/4" H

Very Rare, Antique, Qing Dynasty Period Chinese gilt bronze Bodhisattva figure of Vairochana Buddha, in appearance of Vairochana Abhisambodhi. Depicted in Buddha appearance, one of the eight principal bodhisattvas students of Shakyamuni Buddha and also believed to be the future Buddha of the next age after the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. Beautiful and peaceful, cast in formal in appearance, the Buddha gazes forward with natural painted Athe eyes, partially closed, and the blue hair on the head is piled in a tuft on top with a single gold ornament adorning the crown. Between the eyebrows is a red (urna) and adorning the neck are three curved horizontal lines. With serene face, with one face and two hands, seated above a white lotus and moon, air piled on the top of the head, with a crown, wearing robe upper and lower heavenly garments and ornament, golden in color. Blue pigmented hair piled on the top of the head beneath five pointed crown. The two hands raised slightly below chest level, perform vajra gesture, perform the gesture of meditation, the right hand grasping the index finger of the left hand. The pendulous earlobes are long and pierced. The right hand is performing the Dharma Teaching mudra (gesture) at the heart and on the left a Dharma Wheel. He wears various flowing silk scarves and lower robes; seated in the vajra posture on a moon disc and lotus blossom throne. Extensive trace of gilt and blue pigment on the hair. The reverse side of the throne bear Tibetan inscriptions. This sculpture appears to be the perfect example, by any artistic tradition, both for technical precision and exquisite form. The proportions of the body are exact and the overall presence and beauty make this sculpture a precious artistic treasure. Extensive gilding remaining and traces of blue pigment in the hair.

The Underside with incised quatrefoil flori-form petal visvavajra mark surrounding the centralized DaiJi.


LOT NOTES:

Vairochana Buddha can best be understood in three different ways: as the principal character in a number of Buddhist sutras, a meditational deity used in ritual practices, and a familiar image depicted in early painting and sculpture. Vairochana is also one of the pre-eminent Buddhas in Tantric Buddhism along with Akshobhya and Amitabha. In some Sutra and Tantra explanations Vairochana is seen as a universal form of Shakyamuni Buddha and therefore especially important in the early development and history of Tantric Buddhism. There are two main types of Vairochana: Buddha Appearance Vairochana and Peaceful Appearance Vairochana.

Over all in EXCELLENT condition. With normal anomalies in nature, sign of stressed surface, minor scratch & dents. Surface traced wear and or declined to gilding. Normal, consider ages and wear.
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