Buddha. China. Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Bronze... Lot 196

Buddha. China. Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Bronze sculpture. Presents marks of use and faults. Measurements: 19,5 cm x 11 cm x 9,5 cm. Buddha seated in the posture of the lotus flower and performing a mudra that symbolizes that he takes the earth as a witness. The symmetry of his physiognomic features expresses serenity, the elongated earlobes symbolize nobility and wisdom. The headdress is inspired by a Buddhist temple. The bhumi sparsha mudra ('gesture of touching the Earth', being bhumi: 'the planet Earth'; and sparsha: 'to touch') represents the moment when Buddha solved the problem of ending suffering when he was under the Bodhi tree. Usually depicted by the historical Buddha and seated in the lotus position, as in this bronze. The right hand touches the ground with the fingertips; the left hand rests on the leg with the palm facing up.