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Buddha Sculpture Sells for $14.38 Million

The Buddha sold for $12.62 million more than the previous world-record holder, a Rakuchu Rakugai screen.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM

New York auction house Christie's just broke a world record with a newly discovered wood sculpture of the supreme Buddha of the esoteric pantheon. Attributed to the sculptor Unkei, who was a master artist during the Kamakura period (1190's), the carving of Dainichi Nyorai sold for nearly $14.38 million to Japanese firm Mitsukoshi Co.

The sale broke the world auction record for Japanese art -- by a huge $12.62 million margin -- and the auction record for Asian art sold in New York. Before the sale, the Buddha was grossly underestimated to sell for $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

The Buddha is thought to come from a temple during the Meiji period (1868-1911). Believing it was hollow inside, the statue's owner had it X-rayed by the Tokyo National Museum. The results revealed three hidden dedicatory objects tied together with bronze wire: a wood five–stage pagoda, a crystal ball supported by a bronze stand, and a crystal five-stage pagoda.

The previous world auction record for Japanese art was held by a Rakuchu Rakugai screen, sold in October of 1990 for $1.76 million, also at Christie’s New York.

"We witnessed enormous interest from clients worldwide who traveled from near and far to visit the exhibition at Christie's and participate in this landmark sale," says Katsura Yamaguchi, international director of Japanese and Korean Art.

Above: The Dainichi Nyorai Buddha, believed to be carved by Japanese sculptor Unkei in the 1190's. Courtesy of Christie's.