Bouddha - Folk art - 19th c. - Sculpture - Laos





€70 | ||
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€55 |
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Description from the seller
Buddha
Laos, 19th century, folk work
Laquered and gilded wood
18 cm high
In the 19th century, Laos, fragmented among the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champassak under Siamese suzerainty, sees its artistic production remain at the heart of provincial monasteries (wat). Rural popular craftsmanship moves away from the rigid court canons to favor a direct votive expression, hastily carved in local wood by monk-sculptors. These domestic or monastic pieces are characterized by an expressive schematism, where lacquer work and gilding serve as ritual offering more than ornament, reflecting a Theravada devotion deeply rooted in Lao daily life.
This monoxyle sculpture depicts the Buddha seated on a base raised with geometric registers and a motif of stylized lotus petals. The right hand is sketched in bhumisparsha mudra (earth witness gesture), while the left rests in the lap. The face with half-closed eyelids displays a serene expression, surmounted by a slender conical ushnisha with a ring. The work retains its original polychromy with traces of red lacquer and leaf gilding, showcasing a beautiful patina of use.
Condition: Good overall for its age. Some chips, cracks and losses.
Provenance: Kanaka The Collection, Portugal
Sent with UPS and insured
Seller's Story
Buddha
Laos, 19th century, folk work
Laquered and gilded wood
18 cm high
In the 19th century, Laos, fragmented among the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champassak under Siamese suzerainty, sees its artistic production remain at the heart of provincial monasteries (wat). Rural popular craftsmanship moves away from the rigid court canons to favor a direct votive expression, hastily carved in local wood by monk-sculptors. These domestic or monastic pieces are characterized by an expressive schematism, where lacquer work and gilding serve as ritual offering more than ornament, reflecting a Theravada devotion deeply rooted in Lao daily life.
This monoxyle sculpture depicts the Buddha seated on a base raised with geometric registers and a motif of stylized lotus petals. The right hand is sketched in bhumisparsha mudra (earth witness gesture), while the left rests in the lap. The face with half-closed eyelids displays a serene expression, surmounted by a slender conical ushnisha with a ring. The work retains its original polychromy with traces of red lacquer and leaf gilding, showcasing a beautiful patina of use.
Condition: Good overall for its age. Some chips, cracks and losses.
Provenance: Kanaka The Collection, Portugal
Sent with UPS and insured

