Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in northern India in the 5th century BCE and founded the Buddhist teaching.
The statue shows Shakyamuni Buddha seated in lotus posture on a multi-tiered throne. His right hand touches the earth in bhumisparsha mudra, while the left hand is held in dhyana mudra. Posture and gesture follow the traditional representation of the Buddha in meditative repose. Behind the figure rises a curved aureole.
The robe, throne, and aureole are decorated with filigree work. Spirals formed from fine metal wires are filled with small arched elements and combined into a continuous pattern. Turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli are set into the filigree surfaces. At the front of the base, a curved victory banner, pataka, is attached.
This Shakyamuni Buddha filigree statue stands in the tradition of Buddhist art and is an elaborately executed work from Nepal.
Shakyamuni Buddha
Statue made of copper, traditional lost-wax cast, decorated with fine filigree ornamentation, silver- and gold-plated, set with turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli. The face is set in gold. The sculpture is patinated.
- Height: 27.5 cm
- Width: 19.5 cm
- Depth: 14 cm
- Weight: 2,086 g
NOTE
The facial painting is a cold gold application and water-soluble.