Bouddha - 18th c. - Statue - Myanmar/Burma

Buddha Shakyamuni seated in the earth-touching pose (Maravijaya)
Myanmar (Burma), Shan State at the beginning of the Konbaung period
18th century
Bronze with brown patina bearing traces of lacquer
Dimensions: Height: 16.5 cm

Private devotion bronze statue representing the historical Buddha seated in sattvaparyanka. The work testifies to the stylistic transition of 18th-century Burmese art, blending the geometric rigor of Ava with the softness of the early Konbaung period’s features.

The face exhibits the canons of Haute-Birmanie, with high and very arched eyebrows, finely incised half-closed eyes and a straight slightly hooked nose. The earlobes, stretched by ancient princely jewelry, descend parallel to the neck without touching the shoulders. The hair, composed of tight small conical points, is bounded by a thin frontal band. The whole rises to an ushnisha crowned with a terminal flame-shaped knop (rasmi), symbol of supreme awakening.

The Buddha wears the monastic robe draped over the left shoulder (sanghati), leaving the right shoulder bare. The drapery is of great linear sobriety, closely following the torso without the baroque folds of later periods. The right hand lightly touches the ground in bhumisparsha mudra, calling the Earth to witness his merits in the face of Mara’s attacks. The left hand, placed on the lap, presents a hollowed palm intended to receive a removable attribute missing (alms bowl or nectar pot).

The Buddha rests on a high architectural throne of several levels, mimicking the great altars of Burmese monasteries. It consists of a polygonal seat in a "wasp-waisted" form atop a tall flared truncated conical base with steps.

Very beautiful patina of dark brown wear, softened on the protruding parts by ritual handling, with residual sediment deposits in the hollows. Overall good condition.

Provenance: Kanaka The Collection Portugal
Sent with UPS and insured