A BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, 16TH-17TH CENTURY Laos. Seated in virasana atop a shaped tiered base with incised lotus petals, his right hand in bhumisparshamudra, the left resting on his lap, wearing samghati, his face with downcast expression, incised eyes, aquiline nose, smiling lips, elongated earlobes, curled hair dress and usnisha, the latter surmounted by a jewel.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Areas of minor heat damage. The jewel surmounting the ushnisha is a later replacement. Old lacquer coating and remnants of gilt. Minor wear and casting flaws, small dents, some losses, minuscule nicks, and light scratches. The base with a small old repair (ca. 6 x 6 cm), well-visible from the inside. The interior with malachite-green encrustation.

Weight: 5,202 g
Dimensions: Height 41.5 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related bronze of Buddha Shakyamuni, 34 cm high, dated to the late 16^th century, at Christie’s Amsterdam in Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art on 31 October 2000, lot 112, sold for NLG 19,893 (approx. EUR 9,027).