A fine and large Chinese gilt-bronze figure of Buddha, Ming Dynasty, 16th century, seated with eyes downcast, in 'Meditation' and 'Earth-Touching' mudra, on a bronze double-lotus throne, the character 'Wan' engraved on the chest, the edges of the robes finely detailed with lotus flowers, the tightly curled hair panted with blue pigment See 'Mind Transforming Treasures, a Selection of 100 Buddhist Works of Art', Chung Tai Museum, 2009; cat no 12, pp60, colour plate p61 for an almost identical parcel-gilt figure This collection was formed by descendants of the Australian vendor, whose great-great grandfather was based in Peking and Shanghai between 1850-1870, where he held a high diplomatic position and it would have been at this time that he acquired the important Chinese artworks in this collection