GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED  BUDDHA PROBABLY NORTHERN WEI...

Estimate

£2,000 - £4,000

GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED  BUDDHA
PROBABLY NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY (386-534 AD)
on a tall base with four splayed legs with an inscription, and is cast in relief with a seated figure of Buddha wearing flowing long robe, the flame-form mandorla decorated with a band of flame scrolls, the reverse inscribed 
16cm high 

TRANSLATION OF INSCRIPTIONS:

Four character inscription to the front:
"Eternal/ Perpetual Transmission of the Buddha's Wonderful Laws"

Reverse inscription:
"For the transmission in perpetuity of the Buddha’s Wonderful Law"
The Cao Family built the pavilion in the second year of the Huangxing era (468 in the Western calendar year)
Dedicated respectfully to Chongguan Temple in order to restore its former glory
which took many years to rebuild for the benefit of people far and wide with colourfully painted Buddhist cliff caves for the great reign and prosperity of Emperor Huangxing.
The imperial edict was issued to the top-rank monks of this monastery.
The two families named Shanyan made this with their private  prayer and donation

PROVENANCE: Private West Country collection

NOTE:  The Chongguan Temple was rebuilt on the earlier foundation temple named the Zongshen Temple.  The location of the Chongguan Temple was in Hancui, Baixiang County, Xingtai, Hebei Province, Northern China

The British Museum’s massive stone (19 ft) statue of Amitabha Buddha (dated 585, Sui Dynasty) was originally from the Chongguan Temple, Hebei Province

For a similar figure see Sotheby's Important Chinese Art, New York, 23 September 2020, Lot 588; see also Christie's Treasures of the Noble Path: Early Buddhist Art from Japanese Collections, New York, 14th of September, 2017, lot 805

More Information

Good overall appearance.
Oxidization and some rubbing/losses to gilt consistent with age