A rare bronze figure of Buddha. Vietnam, Cham period, 9th century.  Photo: Christie´s Images Ltd 2010

Standing on a circular base with his right hand in abhaya mudra and his left holding the end of his sanghati, chakras incised on the palms, his face with inlaid pupils and urna, the hair rising to a tiered conical ushnisha; 14 in. (35.5. cm.) high - Estimate $80,000 - $100,000

Provenance: Biancardi Collection, Paris and Sydney, formed 1960s-1980s
Acquired in Sydney, 2003

Property from a private Australian collection

Notes: This very unique figure with inlaid gold pupils displays influence from Thailand with slender body and flared hemlines, while the facial features are more indicative of the Cham period in Vietnam; for other Cham examples, see J. Boisselier, La Statuaire du Champa, 1963, figs. 28-29.

Christie's. Indian and Southeast Asian Art. 14 September 2010. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com