Buddhist lion in gilded bronze. Japanese work from the Edo period (17 ° -19 °) difficult to date with precision. However the style of the round patches of the coat does not seem to me to be 17 °, it is more reasonable to think 18 ° -19 °. The cast iron is of good quality and very thick which makes it very heavy (18 kilograms). The bronze was hot gilded with mercury and then covered with translucent lacquer which gives an orange color...

. The bronze is very thick yellow, the casting is made in several parts, the arms are cast separately and welded, the ribbons too. The finish is very neat. The old patina is beautiful. The base is cast separately, the walls are thin unlike the statue, but it is indisputable that the two were made together. On the base and at the bottom of the statue are incised characters that date it. I do not know what the exact time is, but I can do research on request. The glory is added later...

Very rare cast bronze sculpture of the Chinese monk Xuanzang with a pile of Buddhist scriptures rolled up and stacked in the pack on his back and a lotus leaf over his head from which dangles an incense burner, as he returns to China from India.
In his hands he was holding a scroll and a fly whisk that are now missing. Figure stands on an irregularly shaped base. Japan, mid Edo period, 18th century.
Height incl. base ca. 5.25 inches (13.3 cm)...

A Fine Bronze Seated Buddha Sakyamuni Figure, U'Thong Style, Early 16th Century. Seated in Sattvasana, his hands in Bhumisparsa and Dhyana mudra. Wearing a sanghati with long sash. His face with meditative expression, downcast eyes under incised arched eyebrows, broad triangular nose and outlined lips, elongated earlobes. His hair arranged in rows of small curls...

Beautiful thick bronze hollow votive figure in the shape of Dainichi Nyorai sitting on a lotus base, former part of a kakebotoke. His head gear finely engraved with floral motives. Bronze with dark brown patina and traces of gilding. Kamakura period, 14th century.

Mounted on Japanese, old kiri-wood stand

H 4 ¼ inches

Excellent condition

An exceedingly rare ancient Japanese Heian (794-1185) or Nara Period (710-794) Engraved Bronze Tortoise. The entire shell, front and back, has engraved artistic images of the people and symbols of the era. The tortoise is a symbol of wisdom, and is able to defend itself on its own. It personifies Water, Moon, Mother Earth, Time, Immortality, and Fertility. Creation is associated with the tortoise and it is also believed that the tortoise bears the burden of the whole world...