Lot 12 | Rare sitting Vajrasana Buddha

RARE SITTING VAJRASANA BUDDHA.

Origin: North East India or Bangladesh.
Dynasty: Pala dynasty (750-1161).
Date: 11th c.
Technique: Black stone, finely carved and polished.
Description: The Buddha is seated in meditation posture on a lotus above a throne with two lions
flanking a central elephant. His two hands perform the teaching gesture (dharmachakra
mudra) and he is accompanied by two standing bodhisattva, each with the right hand raised
in front of the chest in the gesture of fearlessness. On the right side the future Buddha
Bodhisattva Maitreya and the much revered Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion on
the left. Behind the head of the Buddha two nimbus: a round one of twisted, pearl-studded
ribbons, the other one from flames and with pointed tip. Above the head of the large
figure three leaves of the tree of enlightenment. Flanking him are also two small
representations of the seated Buddha in meditation gesture (bhumisparsha mudra) each on a
double lotus.
Measurement: Height 52 cm, width 30 cm, depth 12cm.
Frame/Pedestal: On a separate metal base.

The exquisite Buddha with two short vertical inscriptions on the base belongs to the Vajrasana type. The "diamond seat" refers to the exact place in Bodhgaya where Buddha attained his awakening.

Provenance:
European private collection.