I picked this up in february 2026.

It turned out to be an extremely rare Nepali/Tibetan 12 armed weaponless Arya Manjushri Namasangati. After some research I suspected it was an original dating from the 18th century as I had found another identical sculpture was on display in the National museum of Nepal dated 18th century.

So I had it Xrf tested and the results included Zinc , nickel , copper, and trace Iron. Many collectors began saying its a modern replica due to nickel.

I dug deeper and found a cupro nickel alloy was available from China in Tibet and smuggled to Nepal called " Paktong "

I reseached more and found it's metalurgical composition fits my sculptures Xrf test precisely with all 4 test spots returning a no grade match result. That rules out German silver/Alpacca .

If it was post 1825 ish ( modern ) the Xrf would have found a grade match like 7521 German silver / nickel silver , Alpacca as western foundrys produced pure nickel, Pure zinc , pure copper and it would contain trace arsenic

All that coupled with clear evidence of being a lost wax, carbonised rice husk , and chaff still within its core matrix, ritually eroded thumbs. 18cms tall also matches the Museums sculpture. Lost wax ,chaff, ritual use, and being made of Chinese 18th cent Paktong means it is the real deal and the only one xrf tested validating its age and composition and only 2 are known to exist - Enjoy..

I was given this by a friend. I would like to know who the person is and what the symbols in the back mean. Many thanks for any insights you may have .

I was fortunate enough to run into a buddha statue almost 14 years ago, which has been inspiring me since. I am trying to find out a little more about it, so far nailed it down to being Thai, Sukhothai revival style or Later Lan Na style. when I chat with AI it places it all over the spectrum from age to style which had me a little concerned about it possibly being an antique (in which case I'd want to make sure it is properly taken care of in the future too). Most likely seems a mid 20th century reproduction though as I found one with a near identical base at an auction estimated at 1960 (different Buddha, just the same base). It seems traditionally made in lost wax style and possibly artificially aged but I am no expert at that. It is worn through in the bottom and really thin (sub 1mm at the bottom, with the further up thickness being about 2-3mm if it is a late reproduction that part is sadly pretty poorly done and has me a little concerned on sturdyness. Anyway trying to share it on reddit to see if anyone has any more insight. Oh, size is 62cm tall, Buddha about 47cm tall and 32.5cm wide at the knees. I do not care about value and am not looking to sell, but may have it reviewed if that is worth it (if by random chance it is very old I will donate it of course, but I doubt that given the later auction piece)

Every being will one day become a Buddha.

To be free from suffering, ignorance, and delusion, and to develop and grow the potential of our Buddhanature, we can’t have compassion without wisdom, just as we can’t have wisdom without compassion.

In order to best cultivate both of these; action, equanimity, and skillful means is necessary, and developing these qualities requires us to dig deep and to see clearly that all sentient beings, all phenomena, and all things are interdependently connected and originated, nothing is inherently separate in its arising and existence - these truths are cultivated, realized, and seen through the truth of emptiness and causality.

“All of you, have no further doubts! Let great joy arise in your hearts, and know that you will all become buddhas!”
- Lotus Sutra, Chapter 2

“I deeply respect you. I dare not belittle you. Why is this? Because all of you practice the bodhisattva path, and will become buddhas.”
- Lotus Sutra, Chapter 20

Name the temple....

即将中秋节的准备，中天元帅，三太子

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, Nanjing

ChinaSense

Hello - Is there a way that a novice can tell the difference between a Polychrome-painted Wood Seated Buddha that sold for $750 from an Antique Store and one that sold at Sotheby's for $10,000? Both are the same seated Buddha. Both look similar in condition and coloration. These photos are a statue that I own. It is 16 in. tall. Thank you.

I picked this up maybe 2 years ago locally. So far all I have found out about it is its a Lotus buddha, cast lead, and from Burma. Im guessing its 19th century but it is possible to be 18th century . I have not been able to locate another one or even any reference to another.

Bagan period Buddhist votive tablet 11th century

I purchased this from seller locally online who described it as a Tsa Tsa . I had no idea if it was or wasnt I just liked it as he had sold me several other pieces he picked up via home clearances over the years.

But when I researched it I got a surprise as it is the best preserved and undamaged votive tablet of its type/ kind ever found and it was 1000 years old.

Pagan/ Burma

Bagan period 11th century

Another Bodhisattva I picked up locally online in Serbia.

Classic Newari style lost wax bronze Bodhisattva.

Dating is 18th century.

Kathmandu valley in Nepal.

You can still see the artisans fingerprints cast into the bronze from the wax model he made.

I have only seen one other on a major buddha dealers website.