Fire-gilded bronze. Nepal-Tibet, approx. 18th to 19th cent.
Particularly rare depiction of Buddha in ascesis. Shakyamuni spent only a short time - in Urubilva - as a chaste ascetic, because he realized that true mental powers are difficult to attain with undernourishment. Famous was the depiction "Siddhartha as Ascetic" from the art of Gandhara, which this little bronze also very obviously expresses. The very well worked bronze, almost entirely gilded, offers Siddhartha in lotus posture seated on a fitting base, on the front is a vajra (symbol of the Absolute). Play between Hellenistic influence of the robe folds and rib arches define the imagery. The facial features of Buddha-to-be are still "ironclad", but this will change soon ... (According to a legend, shepherd boys discovered the ascetic Siddhartha in the forest, tickled him, blew in his ear and tried to tip him over...). Very good preservation, open underneath.
HEIGHT 8,4 CM
From an Austrian collection
鑲金青銅造釋迦牟尼佛齋戒像。尼泊爾-西藏,約18至19世紀。高8.4厘米。