Gilt-Bronze Medicine Buddha, China, 16th–17th Century

A rare and expressive cast-bronze sculpture of the seated Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru), retaining substantial traces of its original fire gilding.

The Buddha is seated in the lotus position (vajraparyankasana), displaying a serene and contemplative expression, downcast eyes, elongated earlobes, and tightly curled hair surmounted by the cranial protuberance (ushnisha). His right hand rests on his knee in the gesture of charity and wish-fulfillment (varada mudra), holding a medicinal myrobalan fruit between his thumb and index finger—a traditional Buddhist symbol of healing. His left hand rests palm-up in his lap in the gesture of meditation (dhyana mudra).

He wears flowing monastic robes finely chased with floral scroll borders and tied with a sash below the chest. His bare chest features a raised auspicious Buddhist wan symbol (swastika), representing eternity, perfection, and compassion. The base is unsealed with a hollow interior, characteristic of Chinese Ming dynasty bronze statuary.

Good antique condition. Natural age-related wear and losses to the gilding on the high points, revealing a rich, dark bronze patina underneath that attests to the piece's authenticity and age.

Provenance:
• Private collection, United States.
• Acquired in 2015 from the renowned Brussels gallery of art dealer and specialist Karim Grusenmeyer (Brussels, Belgium).
• Private collection, Vienna (Austria), from 2015 to the present.

Authenticity and dating (China, Ming Dynasty, 16th–17th century) confirmed in writing by the Karim Grusenmeyer Gallery (Brussels).