Figure of seated Buddha, gilded brass, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1740-1786.

A seated image of the Buddha Sakyamuni, cast in copper gilt by the cire perdu process and chased. The face is gold with red lips, white eyeballs and black pupils and eyebrows. The tightly-curled hair is dark blue.

The Buddha's legs are crossed in the lotus or diamond posture and he is seated on a double-petalled lotus throne (padmasana). His lowered right hand (bhumisparsha mudra) records the moment just prior to his enlightenment as he called the earth to witness his worthiness to achieve liberation. He is wearing a robe which appears transparent, being only indicated at the edges. He bears the other main marks of Buddhahood (laksanas) including the cranial bump or ushnisha, the mark between the eyes (urna) and the eight-spoked 'Wheel of the Law' (dharmachakra) on the palms of the hands and the soles of his feet.

The solid lotus base is separate from the figure and is inscribed round the bottom with a series of laudatory inscriptions in Tibetan characters.

Given by Lady Ratan Tata, York House, Twickenham

Navajbai Sett (1877- 1965), the younger daughter of Ardeshir Merwanji Sett, or Lady Ratan Tata gave the collection of her husband Sir Ratan Tata (1871- 1918) in 1920 to the V&A. The collection was distributed across the Indian Section and the then departments of architecture, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, textiles, and woodwork.

Sir Ratan Tata was a great art collector, and although he collected often to decorate the several residences he had in England, India and France, he also pursued his collecting interests specifically on these trips. He was interested in Chinese and Japanese works which he acquired in the countries as well as in European paintings, ceramics, and Indian textiles and crafts. Among the items acquired in 1920 were many that were housed at Sir and Lady Tata’s residence, York House in Twickenham. When Sir Ratan Tata died, the Executors of his estate offered his collection to the Prince of Wales Museum (now the CSMVS), Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1920. It was in the same year that she gave parts of the collection to the V&A.

Given by Lady Ratan Tata, York House, Twickenham. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1920-6471

The Tibetan inscription around the base mentions the piece as having been comissioned by Rol pa'i rdo rje (1717-1786), friend and religious teacher of the Chinese emperor Qianlong.

This large image of the seated Buddha Sakyamuni is cast in copper and gilded; the facial features and hair are painted. An image of this size would have been made for worship in a temple in Tibet or China, where it would have stood behind an altar. An inscription in Tibetan (U chen) script running around the base forms a general prayer for the spiritual progress of all beings towards enlightenment.

IM.227-1920