Lot 43A
China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1850 CE. A hand carved and painted wooden standing Buddhist triad, Buddha at center, with characteristically elongated ears signifying his wisdom and compassion, and a pronounced ushnisha (top-knot, crown of hair) representing the spiritual power of his enlightenment, his hands held in the Bhumisparsa or Earth Witness Mudra, flanked by standing bodhisattvas, likely Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, both displaying the gesture of teaching and intellectual debate or discussion, with the tips of the thumb and index finger touching each other to form a circle, the other hand with palm facing upward. This is the mystic gesture usually used when Bodhisattvas are explaining the teachings of Buddha. All three figures don long robes and stand on individual double lotus thrones floating above a rolling cloud formation. The surfaces are adorned with gesso and painted layers in hues of red and dark brown. A beautiful example created during the Qing dynasty, the last of the imperial dynasties of China first established in 1636 by the Manchus. Size: 15" x 10-1/4" x 4-3/4" (38 x 26 x 12.1 cm)
Buddha is presented in a calling the earth to witness Mudra, his left hand on lap with palm upright (in this case presenting an offering vessel) and his right hand touching the earth. This Mudra symbolizes the moment of Buddha's enlightenment. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama (the historical Buddha) was attacked by a demon Mara with legions of frightful monsters. They intended to scare Siddhartha away from the sacred Bodhi tree. However, Siddhartha would not move. Mara then dared to claim Siddhartha's seat of enlightenment for himself, claiming that his spiritual deeds were more significant than Siddhartha's. Mara's monsters cried out, "I am his witness!" and Mara looked at Siddhartha and challenged, "Who will speak for you?" Siddhartha's replied without words. Instead he reached out his right hand to touch the earth, and the earth boldly pronounced, "I bear you witness!"
Provenance: Ex-private Northern Colorado collection.
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#110930
- Condition: Areas of wear to gesso and painted surface layers.
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