Real Qing Dynasty Buddha Cloisonne?

I recently acquired this Buddha statute. It probably weighs in at about 3-5 pounds. Unsure if it is (i) fake - meaning recent replica (ii) brass, bronze or copper. Anyone have any leaning as to whether they think it is genuine or not? I'm not expecting anyone to know 100% either way, but just looking for your thoughts.

I was able to get a peek at the inside and took some pics if that helps. I did a ding test to see if it "sounds" copper, but having no experience in it, I can't really say for sure one way or another.

Thoughts?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fM8Wa1hcdyE2Ii682

 

Hello Evanreykjavik and welcome to the board! I am far from an expert in dating buddha statues but I believe the material may be what is called pot metal:

Borrowed from Google: Pot metal—also known as monkey metal, white metal, or die-cast zinc—is a colloquial term that refers to alloys of low-melting point metals that manufacturers use to make fast, inexpensive castings.

Pot metal items started pouring into the US beginning around the depression era and continues even today. I've been in some gift shops that really offer nothing but contemporary Buddha statues, incense, and jewelry from Asia. Many of these modern items are quite heavy. I've sold several older (circa 1930's) pot metal Buddhas that functioned as incense burners and they've always sold well for me. I could tell they were relatively older by the wear. The items I sold were also lighter in weight.

I wouldn't call this a fake or a replica. A fake is meant to deceive and I don't think that was the case here. More likely just someone's interpretation of a religious figure.

Hopefully others will be along who are more versed in this area and can help you better than I can.
Don

 

Thank you so much for your reply. So then the question is, did they use or have access to "pot metal" during the Qing dynasty (which ended roughly 1912)? If they did have access to it and use it, then I guess its technically possible that this is actually a Qing cloissone. However, if pot metal wasn't introduced to China until the 30's+, then it by definition is a misrepresentation (not fake, since as you stated, no one is saying this is something that it is not - but more like misrepresenting the date it is from).

 

Keep in mind I could be wrong about the metal. I'm just going by a photo. Personally, it always helps if I can handle metal objects. Are those white areas on the outstretched arm repairs?
Don

 

Good question. I have no clue. I have no experience in this. It simply caught my eye and I liked it so I bought it. It was not an attempt to make money or even worry about getting ripped off - just an impulse buy of something I liked. The white probably is an attempt to fix - or someone in a factory 5 years ago has a job where all he does is break off noses and then fixes them to make them look more aged. No clue. It could also be that those crevices collect moisture so perhaps its corrosion and not a glue of any kind? I don't know!

 

This looks to me like one of the somewhat carelessly done cloisonne Buddhas coming out of Tibet, might be bronze...

~Cheryl

 

That would explain the weight.
Don

 

That sort of enamel might not stick to pot metal. I generally see it on brass, at least on the export bits we see here.

 

(sorry for the double reply if it appears, not sure what happened there)

So if this is brass then that lends some credence to the possibility that this was made during the Qing period. Although declining in quality, these were made mostly in brass until after the Qing when it switched over to copper.

Or I'm just suffering from confirmation bias

 

Sorry, but to my eye this piece is not well cast, shows grinder marks, sloppy enamel, and bright shiny wires forming the equally sloppy cloisons - would be very surprised if it dates any earlier than a few years ago...

This one is from China: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chr...expid=8d8384d2-3f1c-4cb2-a6d6-0e912627d366-41

~Cheryl

 

I agree, thank you!!!

 

Well this ended well. The auction house is willing to offer a full refund (granted, I will believe it when I see it - but still). I still really like it, but can probably find them on ebay for a quarter the price especially if it's not "Qing" as they claimed.

 

way to stand up for yourself.....and not be taken advantage of !!