Antique Large Buddha in Teaching Mudra, China (17013BREM) CALL FOR PRICE

Description

This statue depicts Shakyamuni Buddha soon after he reached Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree when he delivered his first Sermon at Deep Park called the Turning of the Wheel. He sits with legs in padmasana with one upwards facing foot exposed, hands in vitarka mudra associated with this event that is a metaphor for teaching the way to enlightenment. He holds the right hand in up, palm outward, joining the tips of the thumb and the middle finger forming a circle and his left rests in his lap in the same mudra. Using the middle finger rather than the traditional index finger symbolizes great compassion. This this fine carving displays many of the 32 Buddhist lakshanas (auspicious marks) of sanctioned Buddha images readily recognizable to his followers which include elongated fingers, arms, and hands and a cranial protuberance (ushnisha) surrounded by pointed curls referred to as snail-crowned. His pendulous ears signify his wisdom. The delicately carved serene face has a benevolent and compassionate expression with half-closed almond shaped eyes and a brightly painted bud shaped mouth with a slight smile. Buddha is always portrayed in monk’s robes to show his religious devotion. In the Mahayana tradition his crimson and blue robe three-part robe cascades in folds and reveal the lower garment (dhoti) gathered at the waist with the shawl over his shoulders extending to his back. The slender and elegant body appears to float gracefully above flowing robes with deeply carved swirls reminiscent of clouds. The white skin tones are emphasized by the multi-colored robe with hues of cinnabar, cobalt blue, pastel green and black. Although the front is in excellent condition with most of the original pigmentation, the back with a cavity indicating it was consecrated has deteriorated from age but is still structurally sound. During China’s modernization many Buddhist statues were seriously damaged or lost, making them rare.

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