Later Yan Dynasty, 384-407 AD. A gilt-bronze statuette, with Gandharan stylistic influence, featuring Buddha standing against an aureole and lot-flower nimb, on a lot podium with flared legs, flanked by attendants or donors; hatched ornament to the podium, incised text here and to the reverse of the flaming aureole which translates approximately as: 'A disciple of Buddha had this made to keep his family safe', and the 'Buddha Disciple' with the years for Later Yan (384-407 [389]) to the right. Exhibited at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet Hoe, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September - 20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011, Buckingham collections, exhibit TB011, p.161; apanied by copies of the relevant exhibition catalogue pages which dates the piece on artistic grounds to the Early Wei period, circa 5th century AD, and a transcription of the Chinese characters inscribed on the piece; recent translation of the previoly undeciphered inscription suggests a more precise date range of 384-407 (389), Later Yan era. 235 grams, 13.4cm (5 1/4"). Buckingham Collection, from the early 1960s to 1970s. Late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert. Apanied by copies of the relevant exhibition catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate number no.11049-168637. Gandhara was a principal gateway through which Buddhism spread to China, with the connection to Gandharan Buddhist statuary and sculpture evident in the style of this piece.[A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]