Seated Buddha calling the Earth to witness (bhumisparsha mudra), 18th century ::

Details

Other Title: Seated Buddha on lotus pedestal
Place where the work was made: China
Period: Qianlong 1736 - 1795 → Qing dynasty 1644 - 1911 → China
Date: 18th century
Media category: Sculpture
Materials used: bronze, gold leaf
Dimensions: 30.2 x 21.5 x 16.5 cm
Credit: Purchased 1996
Location: South Building, lower level 1, Asian Lantern galleries
Accession number: 479.1996
Copyright: Reproduction requests
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About

The Buddha sits with his left hand in his lap and his right hand in the earth-touching gesture (bhumisparsha mudra). Around the base of the sculpture are brief inscriptions in Sanskrit, Mongolian and Tibetan and, in Chinese, the reign mark of the Qianlong emperor. Akshobya, one of the future Buddhas, and Shakyamuni the historical Buddha are the only Buddhas depicted in this pose.

Places

Where the work was made

China

Exhibition history

Shown in 6 exhibitions

Decorative arts, furniture, silver & jewellery, arms & edged weapons, Christie's, Australia Pty. Ltd., Double Bay, 10 Sep 1995–12 Sep 1995
Smile of the Buddha: Image of Enlightenment, Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra, 02 Nov 2007–17 Dec 2007
Conversations through the Asian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Oct 2014–13 Mar 2016
Glorious, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 27 May 2017–06 Jan 2019
Walking with gods, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Jun 2019–05 Jan 2020
Elemental, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 Jul 2022–2024

Bibliography

Referenced in 2 publications

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, China 'Buddhist Art', Sydney, 2003, 98 (colour illus.).
Editor Unknown (Editor), Decorative arts, furniture, silver & jewellery, arms & edged weapons, South Yarra, Sep 1995, 30 (colour illus.). lot 199.

Provenance

Private Collection, pre Sep 1995, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia

Christie's, Australia Pty. Ltd., Sep 1995, Melbourne/Victoria/Australia, offered for sale at Christie’s, Sep 1995, Melbourne, lot 199.

Lynette Cunnington Asian Art, Sep 1995-Oct 1996, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1996.