GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED? BUDDHA PROBABLY NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY (386-534 AD) on a tall base with four splayed legs with an inscription, and is cast in relief with a seated figure of Buddha wearing flowing long robe, the flame-form?mandorla decorated with a band of flame scrolls, the reverse inscribed? 16cm high? TRANSLATION OF INSCRIPTIONS: Four character inscription to the front: "Eternal/ Perpetual Transmission of the Buddha's Wonderful Laws" Reverse inscription: "For the transmission in perpetuity of the Buddha?s Wonderful Law" The Cao Family built the pavilion in the second year of the Huangxing era (468 in the Western calendar year) Dedicated respectfully to Chongguan Temple in order to restore its former glory which took many years to rebuild for the benefit of people far and wide with colourfully painted Buddhist cliff caves for the great reign and prosperity of Emperor Huangxing. The imperial edict was issued to the top-rank monks of this monastery. The two families named Shanyan made this with their private ?prayer and donation PROVENANCE: Private West Country collection NOTE:? The Chongguan Temple was rebuilt on the earlier foundation temple named the Zongshen Temple.? The location of the Chongguan Temple was in Hancui, Baixiang County, Xingtai, Hebei Province, Northern China The British Museum?s massive stone (19 ft) statue of Amitabha Buddha (dated 585, Sui Dynasty) was originally from the Chongguan Temple, Hebei Province For a similar figure see Sotheby's Important Chinese Art, New York,?23 September 2020, Lot 588; see also Christie's?Treasures of the Noble Path: Early Buddhist Art from Japanese Collections, New York, 14th of September, 2017, lot 805