LOT 122 – Tibetan bronze Buddha, fragmentary ritual statue with signs of use

Estimated value: €3,000 – €5,000. This Tibetan bronze Buddha statue is a ritual object that derives its meaning from use, time, and history, rather than from aesthetic perfection. The statue is cast in bronze and placed on a lotus throne, where clear traces of age and use are visible. A missing hand and damage to the lotus are old fractures with rounded, co-patinated edges, indicating damage that did not occur recently but has become part of the aging process. The surface displays a deep, dry patina profile with multilayer oxidation and mineral deposits, consistent with prolonged exposure and ritual use. The open underside reveals a rough sand casting structure without signs of modern restoration or interventions. In a Tibetan context, such damage is often associated with periods of displacement, temple decay, or iconoclasm, without a specific historical event being attributable to this object. It is precisely these traces that make the statue a document of religious practice and historical rupture, placing it closer to a museum study object than to a decorative artwork. The image thus represents an authentic fragment of Tibetan Buddhist heritage, in which use, loss, and survival visibly come together.

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.