Gilt Bronze Buddha Statue, Sino-Tibetan, 18th–19th Century
Authentic gilt bronze Buddha statue in bhūmisparśa mudrā.
Original gilding preserved with visible ritual wear.
Heavy mineral salt deposits confirming age and use.
Sino-Tibetan stylistic tradition, 18th–19th century.
Not a modern decorative or export piece.
Estimated Value: €1,200 – €1,800
Object
Seated Buddha statue depicted in bhūmisparśa mudrā (earth-touching gesture), representing Shakyamuni Buddha at the moment of enlightenment. The figure is cast as a complete sculptural work including an integral base.
Material
Copper-based bronze alloy with original gilding. Surviving gold is visible on the exterior surface and in protected interior and underside zones.
Technique
Cast bronze sculpture, subsequently gilded. The surface shows extensive ritual wear and natural degradation of the gilding layer through long-term handling and exposure.
Iconography
The Buddha is shown seated with the right hand touching the earth (bhūmisparśa mudrā), symbolizing enlightenment and victory over illusion. This iconography is consistent with canonical Buddhist representations used in ritual and devotional contexts.
Surface & Evidence
The surface displays heavy age-related wear, mineral salt deposits, and fragmented surviving gilding. Salt crystallization is present both externally and internally, including beneath and around remaining gold areas. These stratified surface features indicate long-term natural aging and ritual use and cannot be attributed to modern artificial patination or recent gilding.
Construction
Solid cast bronze construction with integral base. The underside and recessed areas retain stronger gilding remnants due to protection from handling and polishing, a pattern typical of authentic historical gilt bronzes.
Condition
Good condition considering age. Expected surface wear, partial loss of gilding, and mineral accretions consistent with historical use. No evidence of modern restoration or recent surface treatment observed.
Dimensions
Height: 40 cm
Width: 26.5 cm
Depth: 15 cm
Weight: 5.6 kg
Authenticity
Based on material composition, surviving original gilding, mineral salt formation, construction method, and stylistic characteristics, this sculpture is confirmed as an authentic historical ritual object from the Sino-Tibetan cultural sphere, dating to the 18th–19th century. The object is not a 20th-century decorative or export piece.
This validation report reflects an expert assessment based on visual examination, surface stratigraphy, material characteristics, and comparative analysis within established Buddhist sculptural traditions.
Gilt Bronze Buddha Statue, Sino-Tibetan, 18th–19th Century
Description
This gilt bronze Buddha statue represents Shakyamuni in the earth-touching (bhūmisparśa) mudrā, symbolizing enlightenment and spiritual awakening. The figure is cast in a copper-based bronze alloy and was originally fully gilded.
Microscopic inspection shows surviving original gilding both on the exterior surface and in protected areas such as the underside and interior zones. Extensive mineral salt deposits are present across the surface and within recessed areas, indicating long-term natural aging and ritual exposure rather than artificial patination.
The exterior gilding shows heavy wear consistent with prolonged devotional handling, polishing, and environmental exposure, while protected areas retain stronger gold remnants. This pattern is typical for authentic ritual bronzes from the Sino-Tibetan cultural sphere and cannot be reproduced by modern decorative techniques.
Stylistic features, casting quality, surface stratification, and mineralization support a dating to the 18th–19th century.
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Gilt Bronze Buddha Statue, Sino-Tibetan, 18th–19th Century
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