{"product_id":"antique-ladakh-shakyamuni-buddha-fire-gilded-bronze-18th-century","title":"Antique Ladakh Shakyamuni Buddha – Fire-Gilded Bronze, 18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eA large and unusually heavy \u003cstrong\u003eShakyamuni Buddha\u003c\/strong\u003e attributed to 18th-century Ladakh in the Western Himalaya. Cast in bronze and extensively gilded, the image combines a serene frontal presence with technical evidence of hand finishing, traditional casting and long ritual use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eObject details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shakyamuni Buddha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent attribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ladakh, Western Himalaya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e bronze with historic fire gilding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 37.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.2 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eA Western Himalayan altar image\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLadakh developed a distinctive sculptural language at the intersection of Tibetan Buddhism and wider Himalayan metalworking traditions. This figure has the scale and mass associated with an important altar image rather than a portable devotional bronze. The calm modelling is balanced by carefully chased hair, engraved robe borders and a substantial lotus support.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGilding and hand finishing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe gilded surface is not uniform. High points around the face and other exposed areas show soft rubbing, while stronger gold survives in recesses and protected details. Parallel file and finishing marks remain visible in less exposed areas, and the engraved robe borders preserve the hand of the metalworker rather than a mechanically perfect pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDark residues are retained around the hair curls and deeper recesses. These deposits form part of the object's surface history and have not been removed to create an artificially even finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInterior construction\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe underside is open and gives unusually direct access to the casting history. Remnants of clay core material, shrinkage cracks, white mineral efflorescence and small quantities of organic material are visible inside. Together they are consistent with traditional lost-wax manufacture and a long object history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese observations are documented as technical evidence, not used as shortcuts to age. Clay core, organic residues or mineral deposits can support a broader assessment, but none of them independently establishes an 18th-century date.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAttribution\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present attribution to \u003cstrong\u003e18th-century Ladakh\u003c\/strong\u003e rests on the combination of iconography, proportions, lotus treatment, metalworking, gilding and comparison with Western Himalayan Buddhist sculpture. The region's artistic history involved continuous exchange with Tibet, Kashmir and Nepal, so the object is approached within that broader network rather than as an isolated local style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture retains extensive historic gilding with rubbing, minor scratches, deposits and colour variation expected on an object of this age and function. The open underside and surviving interior remains are left visible as part of the construction record. No attempt has been made to disguise the distinction between original surface, wear and later deposits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCollector note\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe combination of 37.5 cm scale, 4.2 kg weight, historic gilding and accessible construction details makes this an unusually instructive as well as visually powerful Himalayan Buddha. It is a piece that can be appreciated both as sculpture and as an object of technical study.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorldwide insured shipping is available.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Buddha-Statues.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63361425867082,"sku":"678","price":8500.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1073\/1693\/7034\/files\/18th-century-ladakh-shakyamuni-buddha-study-view-01.jpg?v=1787859535","url":"https:\/\/buddha-statues.com\/products\/antique-ladakh-shakyamuni-buddha-fire-gilded-bronze-18th-century","provider":"buddha-statues.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}