? A LARGE AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT BRONZE FIGURE OF THE ENTHRONED BUDDHA, SRIVIJAYA EMPIRE, SUMATRA, 8TH-10TH CENTURY

Scientific Analysis Report: A physical-chemical study of the present lot has been performed by Adamantio srl, an Academic Spin-Off of the University of Turin, based on three samples taken on 11 October 2023, using electron microscope images and SEM scanning coupled with EDSa microprobe analyses, with the result consistent with the dating above. A copy of the detailed technical report, dated 16 November 2023, no. 55/2023, accompanies this lot.

Expert’s note: For a highly detailed commentary written by John Eskenazi, elaborating on the historical context and showing further comparisons, please request a PDF copy of the academic dossier for this lot from our customer support department.

Indonesia. Superbly cast, standing with the right leg slightly bent atop a beaded double lotus on a tiered pedestal adorned with diminutive figures of meditating Buddhas within a recessed niche, backed by an elaborate mandorla with further Buddhas and radiating scrolls, rising from a bricked base and balanced on the backs of makaras.

Buddha is dressed in a voluminous monastic robe covering both shoulders and following the contours of the body, the hands partially outstretched and held in karana mudra. His face with a serene expression marked by heavy-lidded downcast eyes below incised brows, centered by a raised urna, a straight nose, and pursed lips forming a gentle smile, flanked by ears with pendulous lobes, the hair in large snail-shell curls rising over the gently domed ushnisha, all backed by a circular nimbus and sheltered by a tall stupa.

Provenance: John Eskenazi, London, United Kingdom. An important and distinguished private collection in London, United Kingdom. John Eskenazi is one of the most internationally respected dealers in Indian, Gandharan, Himalayan and Southeast Asian works of art. He is also a specialist in collectors' carpets and textiles. The Eskenazi name has been associated with Oriental art since 1925. John Eskenazi joined his father's business in Milan in 1977 after studying History of Art, and stage design. In the mid-1990s he further developed the company, opening a gallery in Old Bond Street, London where his reputation as a leading expert in Asian Art was consolidated. In 1997 he was instrumental in co-founding Asian Art in London and in 2004, London Sculpture Week. He has also been a prominent exhibitor at The International Asian Art Fair in New York and at TEFAF Maastricht. He is also a founder partner of The Art Newspaper. John Eskenazi continues to expand his internationally recognized expertise and scholarship in Asian art and culture, through extensive travel, study and research.
Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, traces of weathering, encrustations, areas of surface corrosion, tiny nicks, minuscule dents, few minor losses. Two old repairs to the backplate, small old repairs and fills with associated minor touchups here and there, executed at a museum conservation level. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown patina with vibrant malachite encrustations.

Weight: 16.6 kg
Dimensions: Height 76.5 cm

The modeling of this magnificent sculpture, particularly the facial features, ushnisha, robe treatment, and backplate design, reveals a strong influence from the Pala artistic tradition of Eastern India. These stylistic correspondences suggest that the present image was likely produced under the influence of itinerant monks or craftsmen from the Indian subcontinent, making it a so-called “missionary bronze” that reflects the diffusion of Pala aesthetics across the wider Buddhist world of maritime Southeast Asia (see a related black basalt figure of Buddha, Pala dynasty, dated to the 11^th century, 157 cm high, in the Bihar Museum, accession number Arch. 23).

Further, the Buddha stands straight but a slight imbalance of his feet gives him a realistically natural stance; this relaxed pose, deriving from northern and eastern Indian images, intensifies the masterful impression of the Buddha. See a sandstone figure of the Historic Buddha granting boons, Northern India, Sarnath region, late 5^th century, Asia Society, New York, accession number 1979.5.

Buddhism is an altruistic faith, drawing adherents from every social background. As Buddhism increased its influence on both the mainland and westernmost islands of Southeast Asia, close association with Indian monasteries helped to establish beneficial diplomatic and trading relationships. Precious gifts of bronze statues and sacred texts were carried by the evangelists and pilgrims who traveled by land and sea between the great teaching monasteries that grew up along the trade routes where the communities that embraced the faith generously supported the establishments where they studied and developed their spiritual knowledge.

The present Buddha is accompanied by several companions, all of whom are seated with their hands in their laps, who are more withdrawn and meditative and appear to be residents of Nirvana or another heavenly realm. Their presence encourages Buddhist students to focus on their studies, ultimately to attain a similar state of perfection.

Srivijaya was a Buddhist thalassocrat empire based on the island of Sumatra (in modern-day Western Indonesia), which influenced much of Southeast Asia and was an important center for the expansion of Buddhism from the 7^th to the 12^th century AD. It also was the first unified kingdom to dominate much of the Malay Archipelago. At its height, it exerted trading and political control over a number ports in Sumatra, southern Thailand, and Malaysia that all played a major role in the merchant shipping trade. Due to its location, the powerful state over time developed more and more complex technology utilizing maritime resources. The rise of the Srivijayan Empire was therefore also parallel to the end of the Malay seafaring period. Although Srivijaya was conquered by the Chola of southern India in the mid-11th century, it seems to have retained its reputation as a center of Buddhism until the arrival of Islam in the 14th century.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 September 2006, lot 202
Price: USD 66,000 or approx. EUR 89,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, Thailand or Indonesia, Shrivijaya, 9^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar patina. Note the smaller size (44.5 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2016, lot 250
Price: USD 87,500 or approx. EUR 98,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Buddha, Thailand, Mon-Dvaravati period, 8^th/9^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar pose. Note the size (54.6 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Zacke, Vienna, 17 October 2024, lot 223
Price: EUR 58,500 or approx. EUR 61,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare and exceptionally large bronze figure of Dewi Sri, Borneo, 12^th century
Expert remark: Note the later dating and larger size (105 cm).

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