Gilded Copper Statue of Vajrasattva from the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty

Name and Specifications: Gilded Copper Statue of Vajrasattva from the Yongle Reign (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty. This red copper lost-wax cast statue is 24 cm in height. On its lotus base are engraved with characters that state, “Donated during the Yongle Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty.”

Market Value: The statue sold for 1.10 million yuan (US $132,500) at the China Guardian Auctions Company autumn 2004 auction.

Background: Buddhism came to China during the Han Dynasty and greatly influenced the ideology, culture, art, ethnic relations and customs and traditions of the Chinese people. Buddhist statuary was fashioned in stone, clay and wood as well as in gold, silver, copper, jade and ivory. Statues in the more precious materials were generally erected in imperial palaces. Over the centuries, Buddhism in China gradually evolved into three schools: Tibetan, Han and Southern (the Dai inhabited areas of Yunnan Province). During the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1271-1911) Tibetan Buddhism became the most dominant of the three. Statues cast by accomplished artisans hired by the imperial court combined Han and Tibetan features.

Artistic Value: This statue celebrates Tibetan Buddhism, but has certain Han features. Vajrasattva sits on the straight, tall petals of a double lotus base. He wears a crown and a V-shaped ringed necklace from which hang three gem pendants. His ears are large and rounded. The belt at his waist and the creases in his clothing make the statue realistically vivid and lifelike. His right hand originally held a vajra dagger, but this has been lost. In his left hand he holds a bell. On the lotus base are engraved the Chinese characters meaning “Donated during the Yongle Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty,” indicating that the statue was a tribute to Tibetan Buddhism presented by the imperial court.

Photo courtesy of China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd.