Wooden Buddha statue
I inherited this from a relative who told me it was 1400 years old. The only marking I can find is a tag on the backplate that says “Suleyamuni circa 518 A.D.” it appears to be a heavy wood either painted or lacquered in parts. The lacquer is cracked with several chips missing across the surface of the piece. Quite dusty but I’m hesitant to try dusting it off for fear of further damaging the lacquer.
26” tall x 16” wide x 8” deep
Inherited
Yes
Hello, this item is a carved wooden Buddha statue in a style inspired by Chinese Buddhist sculpture, likely produced during the mid to late twentieth century for the decorative export market rather than as an early historical artifact. The figure shows a seated Buddha in a gesture of reassurance, with stylized robes, symmetrical facial features, and a simplified treatment of the hair and drapery. The surface shows applied paint or lacquer with intentional aging effects, and the underside carving and overall construction indicate workshop production rather than hand-carved devotional sculpture from an early period. The label referencing “Suleyamuni circa 518 A.D.” is a later addition and does not correspond to the actual age or origin of the piece.
The size and weight give it a strong decorative presence, but condition issues such as lacquer loss, surface wear, and cracking reduce collector appeal. Comparable decorative wooden Buddha figures from the twentieth century typically trade in the secondary market as interior décor rather than as antiquities. A fair market value would reasonably fall between $150 and $300 USD depending on local demand and presentation.
