Monumental Chinese Qing Dynasty Shakyamuni Buddha Temple Sculpture - 19th Century Polychromed Wood, 168cm
EXCEPTIONAL MONUMENTAL SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA TEMPLE SCULPTURE China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century Height: 168 cm (66 inches) - Museum Quality This extraordinary temple sculpture represents one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art from the Qing Dynasty period. Carved from a single massive block of wood - a technique of exceptional difficulty for this monumental size - this standing Shakyamuni Buddha displays the Abhaya Mudra (fearless gesture), with right hand raised to shoulder height, palm facing outward, symbolizing protection and dispelling of fear. ARTISTIC FEATURES: Monumental scale: 168cm places this among the largest surviving temple Buddhas from this period Master craftsmanship: Single-block carving technique rarely seen in sculptures of this size Classical iconography: Perfect execution of Abhaya Mudra, ushnisha (cranial protuberance), and elongated earlobes Lotus base: Traditional Buddhist symbolism of purity and enlightenment Realistic Qing style: Serene facial expression with benevolent countenance typical of 19th-century imperial workshops CONDITION: Excellent preservation with original polychromy largely intact. Natural age-related surface variations consistent with 19th-century temple pieces. No major losses or structural damage. The sculpture retains its original spiritual presence and artistic integrity. PROVENANCE: From the prestigious collection of the Silva Prado, Monteiro de Barros, and Mello Franco families - Brazil's most important 19th-century collectors, renowned for their 200-year tradition of acquiring museum-quality international art. Currently offered through D'Argent Leilões, Brazil's premier auction house specializing in important collections. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Temple sculptures of this size were commissioned only for the main altars of major Buddhist temples, serving thousands of worshippers. The realistic style and high-quality execution suggest provenance from an imperial or wealthy monastery workshop during the height of Qing artistic production. RARITY: Monumental Buddhist sculptures of 160+ cm are extraordinarily rare in private hands, with most examples of this caliber housed in major museums worldwide (Metropolitan Museum, British Museum, Musée Guimet). This sculpture represents not only exceptional Buddhist art but also a tangible connection to China's imperial religious traditions, making it suitable for the most important private collections or institutional acquisitions.
168 cm
Auction House
Yes
Hello, this item is an exceptional monumental Shakyamuni Buddha temple sculpture from 19th-century Qing Dynasty China, standing at 168 cm. Carved from a single block of polychromed wood, it represents the Abhaya Mudra with outstanding iconographic clarity and composure. The ushnisha, elongated earlobes, lotus pedestal, and serene expression are all executed in line with high Qing sculptural aesthetics. The preservation of original pigments and the scale of the figure point to an elite workshop, possibly linked to imperial or monastic patronage. The sheer size, rarity of one-block carving at this height, and presence of all canonical features establish this as a museum-grade devotional work.
Its provenance from the Silva Prado, Monteiro de Barros, and Mello Franco families—renowned 19th-century Brazilian collectors of international art—further elevates its historical significance. Temple Buddhas of this size and quality are rarely available in private hands. Comparable works are housed in major museums, and few appear at auction. Based on scale, preservation, provenance, and Qing imperial Buddhist context, this piece carries a fair market value in the range of $150,000 to $300,000 USD.
