PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Europe

The historical Shakyamuni Buddha is envisaged in this statue seated at Bodh Gaya in eastern India, having vowed to remain in meditation to penetrate the mystery of samsara. He was interrupted by the demon hordes of Mara, the 'lord of the senses'. The Buddha overcame their attempts at seduction and distraction, and in defiance moved his right hand from the meditation position to touch the ground before him. The gesture, bhumishparsha mudra, signifies the moment of triumph over Mara in calling the earth spirit to witness his claim to enlightenment.

This classic iconography of Shakyamuni Buddha is famously represented in Buddhist arts. Seated in vajraparyankasana with hands in bhumishparsha mudra on a double-lotus base with slender pointed petals between beaded edges, the deity rendered clad in a robe loosely draped over the left shoulder and cascading in voluminous folds around the feet, further portrayed with a serene countenance framed by a pair of pierced long pendulous earlobes, all below an ushnisha atop hair neatly arranged in rows of small whorls. Besides the fine quality of the bronze, the exquisite craftsmanship with the vivid posture and expression all show the special feature of Yuan Buddhist arts.