Beschreibung:

AN EXTREMELY RARE AND SUPERBLY CARVED LIMESTONE STELE OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA MING DYNASTY, YONGLE PERIOD of rectangular form, meticulously and skilfully carved on one side with Shakyamuni Buddha seated in vajraparyankasana on a double-lotus pedestal above a waisted multi-tiered base, the deity portrayed with the right hand held in blumisparshamuda and the left in dhyanamudra, depicted clad in a pleated robe draped over the left shoulder, the meditative expression accentuated with downcast eyes below thin arched brows, flanked by long pendulous earlobes pierced with vertical slots, surmounted by hair arranged in rows of small whorls and a conical bud-shaped ushnisha, the head and torso framed by a halo and surrounded by a mandorla crested with a soaring dragon flanked by a pair of makara above a lappet-bordered beam, the lower section of the mandorla with two rams supported on two elephants hands, all within a border of flaming wisps and above registers detailed with circular motifs, lotus petals and keyfret adorning the base, all against a ground of dense lotus scrolls issuing from two vases raised on stands flanking the figure, each vessel rendered with a broad rounded shoulder and decorated on the exterior with petal lappets, the scene further adorned with ruyi-shaped cloud scrolls flanking the base of the deity, traces of gilding and red pigment 49 by 34.3 cm, 19 1/4 by 13 1/2 in.