Tibet, 14th- to 15th Century
Height: 39cm
The brightly gilded figure of Shakyamuni, or the Historical Buddha, is seated upright in vajraparyankasana on a splayed double lotus throne. He wears a robe draped from his left shoulder bejewelled with turquoise above the eyes. His right hand is held in bhumisparsa mudra (earth-touching gesture), giving testimonial to the moment before enlightenment where he calls the earth bear witness of his triumph over Mara’s attempts to block his path to enlightenment; while his left hand is held in a meditative position over his lap in avakasha mudra (the gesture of leisure).
