Country Group: China, Japan and Korea

Item id: 461

This is a delightful early/mid Ming Buddha or Bodhisattva; while it has a delightful face, what I think what makes it exceptional is that it has an extensive inscription on the back. The previous owner bought it at auction in Hong Kong in the late 1980's. He had the inscription translated: I can't find the whole text, but I do remember that it is from the 10th year of Cheng Hua (some time in the 1470's) that it was worshipped in the clan temple of the Hobei (or Hebei) province, which is near modern day Beijing, and that it was commissioned by 3 families. There look to have been repairs to one leaf of the crown, and to the back of the base near the inscription. The spot where it was repaired on the back has been slightly damaged, and the metal of the repair shows through. This would be easy to repaired. It is the only early Buddha I have had with an inscription, let alone one so extensive and readable. It is large at 11.5 inches tall by 7 inches wide at the base. It has what I think are conch shells mounted to either side of the base near the knees. I believe that the lacquer is original. It is special piece