CHINE DYNASTIE MING, XVIe - XVIIe SIÈCLE

= Important statue of Shakymuni Buddha in partially gilded bronze, represented seated in padmasana, the soles of the feet incised with dharmachakra, wearing a monastic robe covering both shoulders, falling in elegant folds and enhanced with friezes of chiseled foliage. The hands with delicate fingers in bhumisparsha mudra. The face is round and full, the mouth small, the eyes half-closed, the forehead marked by the urna and the expression benevolent. The curls of the hair are detailed in a multitude of small spikes. H. 42.5 cm PROVENANCE A.D. Collection, Prix de Rome. A very similar piece sold at Sotheby's in London, sale "Important Chinese Art" of November 2, 2022 (lot 313). NOTE The present piece is characteristic of the productions of the late Ming dynasty, particularly remarkable for the quality of its casting but also in its representation full of majesty and power of the Buddha. This representation of the Buddha also gives pride of place to a human vision of him, the simplicity of the brown patina echoing the sobriety of the representation. The face is full and round, the gaze compassionate and full of humanity in an iconography that celebrates a pivotal moment in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the attainment of enlightenment and Buddhahood. Indeed, this iconography depicts the historical Buddha's victory over the demon Mara (Maravijaya) during his last meditation before enlightenment. Sitting under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India, Siddhartha Gautama vows to meditate until the mystery of samsara is revealed. He is interrupted in his meditation by the hordes of the demon Mara, "Lord of the Senses", who tries to distract him from his meditation. Then Mara denies Gautama's enlightenment, and he makes the gesture known as bhumisparsha mudra, "the taking of the earth as witness". The earth shook, proving Gautama's enlightenment, and Mara disappeared. CONDITION REPORT Wear, scratches, wera to the gilt