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Re: Re: Unusual silver Buddha statue - need identification

Posted By: Phillip Adams
Posted Date: Dec 20, 2010 (06:24 AM)

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Hi,
I agree with Gman that this enigmatic little sculpture represents a Buddhist Lama. The tiny figure in the headdress is Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of infinite light and a long life Buddha. It is really unusual to find a Buddha in a Lama's headress. A small Buddha Amitabha in the headdress is part of the iconography of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion.
The the robes of this image look more Mongolian or Chinese than Tibetan and at a guess I would go for a Chinese origin. I don't think the marks Gman has circled are hallmarks. They are chops that have been made into the soft silver to drag silver tags towards the centre and hence hold the copper base plate in place. The Lama is holding a Buddhist Stupa in his hands and the engraved design on the base plate represents a visavajra or crossed vajras. This is one of the symbols ot Tibetan or Vajrayana Buddhism.
The copper base plate seals in relics and/or prayers and indicates that the image has been concecrated.
This appears to be a genuine little sculpture to me. As to age, that is difficult as the whole piece is so enigmatic. Stylistically, it looks 18-19th cetury, but may be later.
Phillip Adams

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Re: Re: Re: Unusual silver Buddha statue - need identification - Gman - Dec 22, 2010 (12:18 AM)