Buddhist gilt-bronze altar, Wanli style

A small portable gilt-bronze shrine for devotional use. It has a rectangular structure with a stepped base, decorated in the central area on both sides, one side with a Buddhist triad, consisting of the central image of Shakyamuni in dhyana mudra, flanked by two bodhisattvas, probably Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, and the other side with Shakyamuni accompanied by a small celestial court. The upper area is adorned with reliefs of large mythical beasts flanking a central niche of a small seated Buddha. On the sides, other deities are shown in individual niches, notably a standing Avalokiteshvara with a crown, as well as reliefs with fan-shaped monastic figures. The front face of the base bears an inscription in Chinese characters.

Size: 22.5 x 9.6 x 15.5 cm (approx.)   Weight: 2320 g

Provenance:

- Current private collection, London, UK