Sotheby's Hong Kong autumn sale includes this beautiful statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Tibetan in style, it was commissioned by the Ming emperor Yongle in the early 15th Century. Tibetan script prayer rolls are sealed inside the bronze. It last changed hands in France, and it hoped it will attract a Chinese buyer and return home. Bids exceeding $US7.7m (£4.1m) are expected. Prior to auction it had been on show in Shanghai and Beijing.What a wonderful piece!
From the FT October 7/8 2006.
Note added: it sold for just under $US15 m, acquired by an Asian collector. Another picture is here.
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