Lot 73
Southeast Asia, Myanmar / Burma, ca. 1850 CE. An expertly carved wooden Burmese Buddha seated in full lotus position atop a lotus throne with hands in a Bhumisparsa mudra, embellished with red pigment known as Chad and gold gilding, possessing characteristic traits of a 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, slender body, and stunning lacquered/gilded finish. Size: 13.5" L x 8.5" W x 24" H (34.3 cm x 21.6 cm x 61 cm)
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. Mandalay artists appreciated realism, particularly when depicting the facial features and manner in which the many folds of the robe cascade from the left shoulder over the body.
This 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-Private Arizona collection
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#119002
- Condition: Surface wear with losses to gilding and red pigment lacquer as shown. Some age cracks as shown. Abrasions/losses, particularly to lotus base.
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