Golden Medicine Buddha with Original Polychrome and Fire Gilding – Lot 459
A powerful gilt bronze Medicine Buddha seated on a double lotus base.
Original fire gilding remains visible across the face and torso.
Traces of early polychrome survive around the eyes and lips.
Thick-walled casting with authentic interior oxidation.
Substantial devotional sculpture with strong presence.
Estimated Value: €3.800 – €4.800
Object
Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru), seated devotional bronze figure with preserved facial polychrome and fire-gilded surface. Lot 459.
Material
Bronze with original mercury fire gilding; remains of traditional polychrome pigments on the face.
Technique
Traditional hollow lost-wax casting. Hand-finished surface with post-cast engraved textile borders. Closed base with traditional sealing plate; interior shows aged oxidation and mineral deposits consistent with long-term natural aging.
Iconography
The figure is seated in meditation on a double lotus base. The left hand holds a small vessel associated with the Medicine Buddha tradition (healing and restoration symbolism). The calm facial expression and balanced proportions match Himalayan devotional workshop output.
Surface & Evidence
Original fire gilding remains visible across the face, torso and recesses, with natural wear on raised contact zones. Facial polychrome survives around eyes and lips, showing age-consistent cracking and layered pigment behavior. No modern glossy coating is visible. The surface patina appears organically developed and consistent with devotional handling and ambient temple exposure.
Construction
Thick-walled hollow bronze casting with a structurally integrated double lotus base. Interior photographs show layered oxidation, compacted residues and mineral accretions. No epoxy fills, modern resins, or machine-clean interior finishing are present. Overall mass and balance support traditional workshop manufacture rather than lightweight decorative production.
Condition
Stable condition with age-consistent surface wear. Gilding shows expected losses on raised areas while preserved in deeper zones. Polychrome is partially preserved and naturally aged. Interior deposits are stable and typical for older hollow-cast bronzes.
Dimensions
Height: 33.5 cm
Width: 22 cm
Weight: 3.4 kg
Authenticity
The combination of traditional lost-wax construction, thick bronze walls, aged interior oxidation/mineral accretions, and the presence of original mercury fire gilding with surviving facial polychrome supports an authentic historical devotional bronze. No indicators of modern casting shortcuts (resin fills, smooth factory-clean interior, artificial patina layers) are observed in the provided images.
This valuation is a private-market retail estimate for 1stbuddha, based on visible material evidence, construction characteristics, condition, and comparable market positioning. It is not an auction hammer-price reference.
Golden Medicine Buddha with Original Polychrome and Fire Gilding – Lot 459
Description
This imposing gilt bronze Medicine Buddha commands immediate attention through its calm yet penetrating expression. The face retains original polychrome detailing in the eyes and lips, creating a lifelike presence that contrasts beautifully with the softly worn gilded surface. The mercury fire gilding remains visible across the face, chest and robe, showing natural abrasion consistent with age and devotional handling.
Seated in meditation upon a double lotus pedestal, the figure holds the traditional attributes associated with healing and restoration. The robe is decorated with finely incised borders, executed by hand after casting. The proportions of the shoulders, torso and hands reflect traditional workshop craftsmanship rather than modern mechanical production.
The underside and interior reveal thick bronze walls, layered oxidation and mineral accretions. Interior deposits and darkened residues suggest long-term ritual placement. Surface wear appears organic and naturally developed, not artificially aged.
This is not a decorative replica but a substantial devotional object with weight, presence and depth. A strong acquisition for collectors seeking authentic Himalayan bronze sculpture with preserved gilding and original painted details.
Dimensions: 33.5 cm (H) × 22 cm (W)
Weight: 3.4 kg
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Golden Medicine Buddha with Original Polychrome and Fire Gilding – Lot 459
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