A RARE WOOD FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, LATE SONG TO EARLY MING DYNASTY China, 12^th-15^th century. Constructed from two pieces of wood joined together, finely carved seated in dhyanasana with his right hand lowered in bhumisparsa mudra and the left holding an alms bowl above his upturned feet. Wearing a loose-fitting robe draped over both shoulders, opening at the chest, and cascading in voluminous folds. His face with a serene expression marked by heavy-lidded downcast eyes and full lips forming a benevolent smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The smooth hair surmounted by a domed ushnisha behind a smaller bump. The interior sealed at the base and possibly containing sacred sutra rolls.

Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, built over several generations between 1910 and 1975, thence by descent in the same family.
Condition: Fine condition, commensurate with age and as expected for a wood statue with an age of at least 600 years. Old wear, dents, losses and age cracks. Remnants of old lacquer and gilt. One arm reattached with associated old fills. Good patina.

Weight: 599.4 g
Dimensions: Height 24 cm

Expert's note: The intense smell of incense emanating from this wood figure clearly indicates that it was housed in a Buddhist temple over many centuries.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 November 2013, lot 409
Price: HKD 137,500 or approx. EUR 20,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved wood figure of Buddha, Song/Yuan dynasty
Expert remarks: Compare the closely related treatment of the hair, garment, and expression. Note that the figure is of similar size when the base is discounted (height is 29.5 cm including the base).


宋末至明初罕見釋迦牟尼木像
中國，十二至十五世紀。由兩塊木料拼合而成，雕刻精美。釋迦牟尼結跏趺，右手施觸地印，左手置於足上托著一個缽。身穿一件寬鬆的長袍，披在雙肩上，敞胸，衣褶層層疊疊，自然流暢。釋迦牟尼面容沉靜，雙眼微閉，嘴唇豐滿，笑容慈祥，雙耳垂肩。頭髮梳成肉髻。底部密封，内部可能密封著神聖的經卷。

來源：維也納私人老收藏，在1910 年與1975年期間，經過幾代人的共同努力建立，在同一家族保存至今。
品相：品相良好，與年齡相稱，符合預期，木雕至少有 600 年的歷史。舊磨損、凹痕、缺損和老化裂縫。舊漆和鎏金的殘餘物。一隻手臂重新進行了連接，有相應的舊填充物。包漿細膩。

重量：599.4 克
尺寸：高24 厘米

專家注釋：這尊木像散發著濃郁的香氣，清楚地說明它曾被安置在一座佛教寺廟中已有數個世紀之久。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港邦翰思, 2013年11月24日, lot 409
價格：HKD 137,500 （相當於今日EUR 20,500）
描述：宋/元木雕佛坐像
專家評論：比較非常相近的髮飾、衣袍和表情。請注意含底座尺寸相近 (含底座高29.5 厘米)。