Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Southeast Asia, Burma / Myanmar, ca. mid to late 18th century CE. A beautiful gilded wood statue of Buddha seated in the full lotus position, with hands in the Bhumisparsa mudra. The Buddha sits peacefully atop a flat polygonal throne, this form also characteristic of the Mandalayan style. In Burma (modern Myanmar) Mandalay is regarded as the center of Buddhism and consequently art flourished in this region and it became known as the center of pure art of Myanmar. The artists employed advanced techniques to create a sophisticated style. This example possesses characteristic traits of the Mandalay Buddha with its oval shaped face, flat temples, human-like facial features, elongated ears that extend all the way to the shoulders symbolizing Buddha's all-hearing powers and wisdom, and slender body. A superb example! Size: 4.375" W x 9.875" H (11.1 cm x 25.1 cm)

The Buddha displays the Calling Earth to Witness mudra, also known as Subduing Mara or Bhumisparsa representing the moment just prior to enlightenment, with the Buddha sitting in meditation, his left hand in his lap with palm upright, and his right hand palm downward touching the earth. At the moment just before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, the demon Mara viciously attacked him with his troops of monsters attempting to scare him away from his seat under the bodhi tree. However, the Buddha-to-be remained. Mara claimed that his spiritual deeds were greater than Siddhartha's challenging the Buddha-to-be. Then Siddhartha extended his right hand to touch the earth, Mara disappeared, and Siddhartha achieved enlightenment.

Provenance: ex-Don Christensen collection, acquired between the 1960s and 1970s

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#155046

  • Condition: Buddha is removable from base. Minor nicks to ushnisha, body, and base, with fading to areas of original gilding and pigmentation, a couple stable hairline fissures, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains of original pigment and gilding throughout.

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April 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000