PROVENANCE: From The Collections of Mike and Annie Gaither, US Navy 1959-1982. Dimensions: Height: 10 1/8"Width: 7 3/8" Very Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty gilt bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Enlightened One, Sage of the Shakya Clan. Formal in appearance, with natural painted eyes and lips, gazes forward with partially closed eyes and the blue-black hair on the head is piled in a tuft on top with a single gold ornament adorning the crown. Between the eyebrows is a dot and adorning the neck are three horizontal lines. The earlobes are long and pierced. With the right arm bare the hand is extended across the knee in the earth touching mudra. The left performs the mudra of meditation palm upward in the lap. Across the left shoulder is a patchwork robe. A similar lower garment is tied at the waist with a sash. The legs are folded in vajra posture above a moon disc and double lotus throne. In front of top seat is a vajra. "Born in the Shakya race through skillful means and compassion; destroying the army of Mara who was unable to be destroyed by others; with a body radiant like a mountain of gold. Homage to you, King of Shakya." (Sakya liturgical verse). The underside covered with bronze oval plate and shows trace of pale-red paint.