Lot 61. A rare large gilt-bronze figure of Bhaishajyaguru on a lotus base, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century; 81 cm, 32 in. Est: £40,000 - £60,000. Lot sold £250,000 (€286,326). © Sotheby's.

the Medicine Buddha seated in vajraparyankasana, wearing a long flowing garment with floral hem open at the chest, the right hand holding a slice of fruit, the serene face with meditative expression below thin arched brows and an urna, surmounted by hair arranged in rows of small whorls and a bud-shaped ushnisha, flanked by a pair of pendulous earlobes, all supported on a matched pedestal base densely decorated with overlapping layers of lotus petals, raised on a separate hexagonal balustraded wave base. Quantité: 3.

Note: Notable for its large size and crisp casting, the present figure represents the Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru), as evident by the myrobalan fruit he holds in his right hand. His face is sensitively modelled with a serene countenance, which is echoed in the gentle folds of robes that are embellished with foliate scrolls. The impressive scale of the lotus flower base adds a sense of authority.

A related figure of a Buddha seated on a lotus flower base of this size, but with his right hand held in blumisparsamudra, was sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2011, lot 692. See also a gilt-bronze and polychrome figure rendered with similar mudras to the present, attributed to the Ming dynasty, sold in these rooms, 16th May 2007, lot 43; and a larger gilt-bronze figure rendered with his right hand in blumisparsamudra, attributed to the 17th century, sold at Christie’s New York, 6th November 1980, lot 212. Further gilt-bronze figures of similar style include a bodhisattva sold in these rooms, 14th November 2000, lot 16; and a figure of Guanyin, attributed to the 16th/17th century, sold at Christie’s London, 15th May 2018, lot 166.

A finely cast gilt-bronze figure of Buddha, Ming dynasty, 17th century; height 32 1/4 in., 81.9 cm. Sold for 446,500 USD at Sotheby's New York, 23rd March 2011, lot 692. © Sotheby's.