Lot 18a, Auction 3/19/2026: Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Polychrome Wood Buddha

$1,950.00

In stock

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A large wooden Buddha statue, sculpted with plaster or stucco, featuring tightly coiled curls. The figure is seated on a lotus pedestal in the dhyanasana position, with hands folded in the lap, forming the dhyana mudra of meditation. The plaster hair is arranged in tight coils, shaped like snail shells, with the characteristic blue pigment, and a red ushnisha at the front. On the verso, a square cut is visible, which may have served as a niche for consecrating offerings or, alternatively, could have had a technical purpose, such as securing the Buddha to a niche like a tenon socket. Size: 16″ L x 10″ W x 31″ H (40.6 cm x 25.4 cm x 78.7 cm).

Condition: Old inactive insect activity to the verso, with heavy losses to wood and bore holes. Luckily this damage is mainly on the verso and base and does not affect the front facing areas. Stable pressure fissures throughout. Chips and losses to hair nodules. Fading to pigments as shown.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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