Estimated value: €1,100 – €1,400. This authentic bronze Buddha statue depicts the Buddha in Dharmachakra-mudra, the gesture of turning the wheel of dharma and transmitting teachings and insight. The statue is hollow-cast from bronze and shows clear remnants of original fire gilding, applied with the traditional mercury-amalgam technique (24 kt gold). The gilding has a warm, deep matte tone with a fine crystalline surface, consistent with prolonged natural aging. Microscopic examination reveals a grainy casting structure, embedded oxidation residues, and an authentic, age-related surface texture, with no traces of modern polishing or interventions. UV analysis shows a natural green-blue fluorescence on the underside, caused by copper oxides and salt mineralization, confirming the absence of modern lacquer layers. The interior retains a rough sand-cast core and shows no signs of recent restoration. The underside has been manually opened in antiquity and exhibits irregular, co-aged edges with mineral deposits, consistent with historical use. With a height of 19.5 cm and a weight of approximately 900 grams, this type of statue was suitable for home altars or small-scale devotional contexts. The object can be placed within the Sino-Tibetan Buddhist tradition and realistically dates from the 18th to 19th century, preserved in its original state without modern interventions.
