Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Natural Quartz Stone Buddha Statue 18″H

Vintage Chinese Hand-Carved Natural Quartz Stone Buddha: Seated Figure on Lotus Base

China, mid-to-late 20th century

Dimensions: 18″H (46 cm)

This is a hand-carved stone Buddha figure worked from natural quartz, shown seated in meditation with the right hand lowered toward the lotus base in the earth-witness (bhumisparsha) gesture and the left hand resting in the lap. The robe is draped asymmetrically over one shoulder, with tightly carved snail-shell curls over the crown, and the figure sits on a plinth carved with a lotus petal register.

The earth-witness gesture recalls the moment of the historical Buddha's enlightenment, when he called the earth to witness his resolve, making it one of the most common poses for freestanding Buddha figures. Hand-carved natural stone, as opposed to cast or reconstituted material, gives this example a crisper, more individual quality to the carving.

Form: Chinese hand-carved natural quartz stone Buddha statue
Construction or Decoration: Hand-carved natural quartz; seated figure with bhumisparsha (earth-witness) mudra, asymmetrical draped robe, snail-shell curls, lotus petal plinth
Period: China, mid-to-late 20th century
Dimensions: 18″H (46 cm)
Weight:
Condition: Stable with no chips or losses noted in photos; light surface soiling consistent with age and storage.