Vintage Brass Buddha with Aureole, Nepal (30611)

Description

This finely cast vintage metalwork brass Shakyamuni Buddha reflects the conservative tradition of Nepalese sculpture which experienced few changes in proportion or decorative details over the past several hundred years. Originating stylistically from Gupta and later Pala Indian art, Nepalese artists created their unique style from the 6th-7th centuries that evolved to a distinctive physiognomy including long pendulous ears, wider faces and relaxed features, often embellished with exaggerated postures, decorative flourishes and unique ornaments. Nepalese Buddhist statues had a tremendous influence on Chinese and Tibetan art since both countries imported art and artists from Nepal to adorn their temples and monasteries.

The Buddha stands firmly on an elaborate cloth covered pedestal with a pierced wheel of the dharma on its rear above two inward facing protective Buddhist lions. Behind him is a full body removable aureole with foliate designs shaped as a two-part mandorla; a circle frames the head, and an elongated oval surrounds the body.

He stands in the teaching position (dharmachakra mudra) sacred hand gesture representing the Buddha’s first sermon the “turning of the wheel of the Dharma”. It  represents  his discussion of the dharma and the universal truths he taught including the path to enlightenment.  It is made by the hands forming a circle with the thumb and index finger touching, the left hand hangs down at the waist palm faces inward and the right is held up with an outward palm.

Like many Theravada Buddha metal statues, he wears a thin, close fitting monk’s robes covering one shoulder in the “wet style.” Originating in Greek sculpture, the wet style presents the idealized body modestly clothed while allowing the body’s shape and details to be visible Although looking directly at the viewer, his hip is flexed to the right similar to an Italian contrapposto pose. His weight mostly supported on a single leg suggesting movement

Many of the 32 Buddha’s auspicious traits, (lakshanas) are displayed: elongated upright body, face, arms, fingers, and hands; well-formed nose; fine hair with soft snail crowned curls; soft skin, well-rounded shoulders; a third eye (urna ) in the middle of his forehead and protuberance on the top of the head (ushnisha).

This piece is elegant in its simplicity and expresses the Buddha’s refined and restrained meditative spirituality. It is in excellent condition.

Sources:

Kathryn Selig Brown, “Nepalese Sculpture.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: Essays, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,