Statuette of Sakyamuni Buddha

CHINA; Qing dynasty

The curled hair of Sakyamuni Buddha is arranged neatly with a dome-shaped usnisa. He has elongated eyes and gently curving lips; his smile creates a sense of serenity. Seated in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne surrounded by a low golden balustrade, the Buddha holds a stupa with a radiating flame pattern and a Buddha niche in the center.
The nimbus is inlaid with a red jewel, and the mandorla is in the shape of a lotus petal, with a rim of intertwining vines in openwork with auspicious symbols, such as a vase, fish, wheel, and knots. On the mandorla, there is a pair of vibrant dragons, and at the top center, there is a gourd shape carved with the two Chinese characters for “auspiciousness.”