Bouddha - Laos - 18th/19th c. - Sculpture - Laos

Buddha protected by the naga Mucalinda
Laos, late 18th–19th century
Stone sculpture, traces of lacquer and gold.
H. 20 cm x 9 cm x 8 cm

In Laos, during the 18th and 19th centuries, artistic production was deeply marked by Theravada Buddhism. These statues were often offered to temples (Vats) to accumulate merit. The representation of the Naga is particularly popular in the Mekong Valley, where the serpent is regarded as a protective spirit of the waters and of Buddhist faith.

This statuette represents the Buddha Mucalinda (or the Buddha protected by the Naga). It illustrates the episode in the life of the Awakened One when, while meditating under the Bodhi tree, a violent storm broke out. The serpent king Mucalinda emerged from the earth, coiled his rings around the Buddha’s body (forming a base) and unfurled his hood to shield him from the elements. The Buddha is depicted in Samadhi Mudra (the gesture of meditation), with hands resting palm-down on the legs, palms up, symbolizing the attainment of spiritual awakening and serenity.

Unlike the classical Khmer representations where the Naga often has seven or nine heads, this Lao style is more compact and stylized. The serpent’s body rises behind the Buddha’s back to form a richly ornamental protective dais above his head.

The work is carved from a locally veined stone, rare compared to the more common wooden or bronze productions. It retains traces of gold leaf, evidence of its ritual use and its ancient sacred decoration. The surface bears an old patina with traces of lacquer, related to exposure in a votive or cult context.

Condition: Good overall for its age. Some chips, cracks, fractures.
Provenance: Kanaka The Collection - Shipped with certificate of authenticity

Shipped with UPS and insured