Statuette of Seated Buddha

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This lapis lazuli statuette measures 20 cm high, while the overall height of the piece is 52.7 cm. The Buddha wears a crown with a Buddha image on each prong, and a ring of beads below. His upper body is decorated with beads in a diamond pattern, from which strings of beads hang down with a gemstone at the end. He sits in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne and performs the dhyana (meditation) mudra while holding a turquoise vase. The inner nimbus and mandorla is made of rubies, while the outer flame is green with opals, tourmalines, rubies, and sapphires. The colorful canopy above the Buddha is fringed with pearls, corals, rubies, and sapphires. In the center of the canopy there is a vase with a pearl, and around the edge there are dragons’ heads, each with a banner hanging down from its mouth.
Beneath the statuette is a 14.7 cm high rosewood Sumeru base with jade balustrades around the top. On the waist of the base there are the eight auspicious symbols carved in jade.