This Buddha is portrayed with the mudra of bestowal. This gesture of the hands gives a supplicant the initiation into a level of Tantric enlightenment. It is an esoteric initiation toward promoting the monk into further mysteries of magical practices in Buddhism.
Ming Buddhist images were often produced in cast iron. This is an especially good example of excellent proportion and esthetic balance in Buddhist sculpture. This figure reflects a very Chinese taste.
Age: Ming Dynasty 14th-15th Century
Media: Cast Iron
Size: 14 inches tall x 9-1/8 inches wide x 6-3/8 inches deep.