Lot 1023. A miniature gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Ming dynasty, Hongwu bingzi cyclical year, corresponding to 1371, and of the period; 2¼ in. (5.7 cm.) high. Estimate USD 5,000 - USD 7,000. Price realised USD 47,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The figure is shown seated on a lotus plinth in dhyanasana with right hand lowered inbhumisparsa mudra and left hand in dhyanamudra, the whole raised on an hexagonal pedestal finely incised with a dedication, including the cyclical date, first month of thebingzi year. Another inscription is incised on the back of the lotus plinth.

Note: The inscription on the pedestal base, Hongwu bingzi yiyue jiri shi, 'made on an auspicious day in the first month of the bingzi year (29th year) during the Hongwu reign,' is similar to the inscription dated to the fourth month of the bingzi year, inscribed on a similar miniature gilt-bronze Buddha sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1806, which also bears a lengthy dedicatory inscription, referring to the figure as being part of a group totaling 5,048 made for worship by future devotees. Another of these figures dated to the 29th year of the Hongwu reign is illustrated in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues I, Beijing, 2001-2004, p. 73, pl. 34.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 18 - 19 September 2014