Qing Dynasty Bronze Figure of Vairocana Buddha

A Sino-Tibetan parcel-gilt bronze figure of Vairocana, Qing…
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A Sino-Tibetan parcel-gilt bronze figure of Vairocana, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong mark, the Cosmic Buddha, the embodiment of the Buddhist Law, with infinite radiance, is cast here seated in the lotus position, seated in padmasana, on a lotus based pedestal, in vitarka mudra, above three tiers of a row of beads, with an inscription that reads 'Da Qing Qianlong Nian Jing Zuo'. The face with serene gaze, adorned with a high foliate diadem, the three folds at the neck and the body carved with necklaces and loosely flowing robes, unsealed base, 17.5 cm high. Catalogue note: Tibetan-style Buddhism was revived to an extraordinary extent under the Qing emperors, both for personal and political reasons, resulting in a surge in the production of Buddhist sculpture and painting. The artisans of the Beijing workshops increasingly emulated sculpture from different periods and geographic areas, using as models the bronzes given as gifts from Tibetan dignitaries to the Qing court. It has been suggested that the triple beaded bands surrounding the lotus base, May be a hallmark for Imperial usage. Reference: Please refer to a partial-gilt Sino-Tibetan bronze, marked with the same seven character mark and of the period, Christie's, Paris 8 June 2010, lot 312

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  • Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
  • Tier - One or more under-shelves of a table or cabinet.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

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