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Hello I have previously posted about a bronze Buddha I own. I just found a inscribed marking. Can anyone tell me about the marking. It has the marking aswell as a visvavajra sign on the base
Thank you

Link :https://postimg.org/image/dhx2g2d7n/2216f066/

The mark on your Buddha appears to me to have a couple of anomalies, one being that most Buddha images described as mark and period in a review of Christie's sales results have marks inscribed to the tops of their bases (or occasionally elsewhere depending on mudra). These marks are written in a single line reading from left to right as 大明永樂年施 (Da Ming Yongle Nian Shi), meaning "Bestowed during the Yongle Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty". Further, the character "Le" (樂), in the reign title, is written in its standard form in period marks, whereas it is simplified (乐) in yours, which mark also is written in three stacks reading down and across from the right.

I've added a link to some authentic details of Yongle period Buddha images. I suspect yours is of questionable age and authenticity, but you leave most of the image sight unseen. Perhaps you should consider adding more photographic insight to permit second opinions, including from more experienced contributors to the forum.

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :Yongle Buddha Base and Marks

Thank you for the information and reply. I also checked Christies and a few of the buddha statues that have sold and have been listed as Yongle period, they do have the inscription written across, whereas mine is in a column form. Although I have seen some different statues sell with the Yongle Ming Mark in a column form online also, I will find a link. For now here are a few better photo's(p.s the visvavajra impressed mark on the base shown on statues sold in Christies has a large impressed Mark of the visvavajra taking up the whole base, whereas mine is small, but I have seen them also sold online with a small Mark.I will find the link
https://postimg.org/gallery/dwqqmyw2/c06a0a47/

The surface of the Buddha, with its mix of light and dark sections in the patina, lends an appearance of having been treated with acid to simulate aging. The yellow spots may be dabs of gold leaf, which is impervious to the acid, and has been applied to simulate use of the image in a temple. Even though the mark does say "Made during the Yongle Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty", the use of the modern simplified version of the "Le" character and the other signs of artificial aging indicate to me that the image probably is no older than the early third quarter of the 20th century.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you bill for all the help! Bad result but thank you for the information!

Is the mark Ming Yongle?

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