A wood sculpture attributed to pre-eminent Kamakura Period sculptor Unkei sold Tuesday for $12.8 million in New York, the highest-ever for any Japanese or Buddhist artwork auctioned in the world, British auction house Christie's said.
The major department store chain Mitsukoshi Ltd. made a successful bid for the 12th-century sculpture against a private American collector, according to the auction house.
"History was made today with the phenomenal result of $14,377,000, which is a testament to the extreme importance and beauty of this supreme Buddha," said Katsura Yamaguchi, international director for Japanese and Korean art, referring to the price with premium charged by the auction house.
A favorite among warriors of the Kamakura Period (1192-1333), Unkei was known for his realistic and dynamic renditions of Buddhist figures.