Seated Buddha

CHINA; Ming dynasty

This sculpture was enshrined within a silver niche with an inscription at the back dating it to 1773. The inscription identifies the statue as being sculpted in the likeness of a Lama from the Kadam school and authorized by the Third Changkya, who had been appointed as the National Master, under order of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795).
The figure is sculpted with the left hand forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra and the right hand in the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The curled hair was painted blue and the usnisa is adorned with a jewel. The Buddha wears a monastic robe with a decorated hem that covers the left shoulder and partly covers the right. The figure sits in full lotus position on a double lotus throne, the base of which is engraved with lotuses.