Pair of Antique Gilt Cast Iron Heads of Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), China, 18th–19th Century
Pair of antique gilt cast iron heads depicting Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa).
Chinese or Sino-Tibetan Buddhist sculpture, 18th–19th century.
Original gold leaf remnants with natural age-related wear.
Cast iron with layered oxidation and mineral surface accretions.
Authentic devotional fragments, preserved as a matched set.
Estimated Value: €895 (set)
Object
Matched pair of Buddhist heads depicting Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), preserved as fragmentary devotional sculpture.
Material
Cast iron with surviving original gold leaf.
Technique
Pre-industrial casting with applied gold leaf; no evidence of modern surface treatment.
Iconography
Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), bodhisattva associated with protection of souls and the afterlife in Chinese Buddhism.
Surface & Evidence
Naturally worn gilding with layered oxidation and mineral accretions. UV examination shows material-consistent response; gold remains UV-inert. No modern coatings observed.
Construction
Hollow cast with irregular interior surfaces consistent with historical manufacture.
Condition
Fragmentary, with age-related wear and losses to gilding. No modern restoration detected.
Dimensions
a) Height 20 cm, width 11 cm
b) Height 17 cm, width 11 cm
Authenticity
Authentic antique Buddhist sculpture, consistent with Chinese or Sino-Tibetan production, 18th–19th century.
Retail valuation for the set.
Pair of Antique Gilt Cast Iron Heads of Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), China, 18th–19th Century
Description
This matched pair of antique Buddhist heads depicts Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), the bodhisattva revered in Chinese Buddhism as the protector of souls and guide of beings through the realms of suffering. His iconography is defined by a calm, compassionate expression, intended to convey spiritual reassurance and moral resolve.
Both heads are cast in iron and retain original gilt surfaces, now naturally fragmented through age, handling, and devotional use. Close examination confirms genuine gold leaf rather than modern decorative application. The gold appears in irregular, microscopic flakes integrated into the aged surface, consistent with pre-industrial gilding techniques.
The surfaces display layered oxidation, mineral accretions, and natural wear, with no evidence of modern coatings, artificial patination, or recent restoration. UV inspection and surface structure support an authentic historical object rather than later reproduction. Minor historical filling and surface variation are consistent with age and long-term use.
The use of gilt cast iron aligns with Chinese and Sino-Tibetan devotional sculpture of the 18th to 19th century, when iron was employed for religious images intended for temples, shrines, or architectural settings. The heads were originally part of larger figures and are now preserved as fragments, valued for their material honesty and historical presence.
Offered as a coherent matched set, these heads retain strong visual and contextual unity, making them suitable for collectors of Buddhist art, fragmentary sculpture, or historically grounded devotional objects
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Pair of Antique Gilt Cast Iron Heads of Ksitigarbha (Dizang Pusa), China, 18th–19th Century
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