Burmese Mandalay Bronze Figure of a Buddha Shakyamuni

Mandalay period, 19th century, Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar).

Beautifully patinated bronze Shakyamuni Buddha from Burma. Small-sized Mandalay style Buddha is seated in vajraparyankasana on a simple oval plinth, wearing plain monk's robe with right shoulder has been left bare, the monastic outer robe (saghati) flows over his left shoulder in elegant folds. His right hand gesturing to the earth in the bhumisparsamudra position. The posture, known as ”calling the earth to witness”, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment. The right hand, placed upon the right knee in earth-pressing mudra, and complemented by the left hand, which is held flat in the lap in dhyanamudra of meditation, symbolizes the union of method and wisdom, samasara and nirvana.

The head faces slightly forward, the eyes are half-closed and eyebrows and lines for the nose are all joined as one. The lips turn up slightly at the corners. The prominent elongated earlobes reflect back to the days before his enlightenment, when he wore heavy earrings as the Indian Prince Siddhartha. Hair consists of neat rows of peppercorns (shwebo) surmounted by a voluminous usnisha.

Good condition. Gorgeous deep dark patina. Age-related wear, corrosion and green oxidization. Traces of coloured lacquer. Size approx. 8,0cm x 6,8cm x 5,2cm.