Cast-iron seated Buddha, China, Ming style The Buddha is depicted seated in padmasana on a high lotus throne. His hands are in dhyana mudra, a meditation gesture expressing perfect balance. He wears a loose monastic robe with soft folds and an elegant shawl draped over his shoulders. A wan symbol (Buddhist swastika) appears on his chest. The finely modeled face features downcast eyes and an expression of deep meditation. The hair is composed of small curls topped by a slightly domed ushnisha. A long inscription on the reverse dates the statue to the Ming dynasty (dating not guaranteed) and relates its creation as an offering to a monastery in the Jingzhou district (Hubei province), made by a general named Ande, praying for the safe birth of his son and his wife. Research has identified this general as Ma Wei Xun, known as Ande, an officer under the Ming, whose funerary stele can be found in the village of Toupu, Guizhou province. Height: 60 cm Significant oxidation. Provenance : Wei Asian Art, Brussels, 2011.