Authentiek Mandalay Boeddha beeld - Sculpture - Myanmar/Burma

This heavy and massive Burmese Buddhist statue is a beautiful and fully authentic example of religious art from the nineteenth-century Mandalay period in Burma, the present-day Myanmar. The hand-carved figure is made from solid, high-quality white marble, in the trade also referred to as Burmese alabaster, and weighs no less than 4,045 grams with dimensions of 30 by 21 by 9 centimeters. The Buddha is depicted in serenity in the Padhasana, or full lotus position, on a double-layered, stylized lotus seat. His right hand reaches downward in the Bhumisparsha mudra, the iconic gesture with which he touches the earth as witness to his enlightenment.

The refined aesthetics of the Mandalay style are especially evident in the face, characterized by a restrained, meditative smile, downward-looking eyes with finely painted details, and elongated earlobes that nearly reach the shoulders. The flowing monk’s robe is richly adorned with the original red lacquer layer, which historically served as the base for applying real gold leaf. This gilding has naturally worn away over the centuries at the prominent points of contact, resulting in a splendid, organic patina that underscores the object’s honest age.

The authenticity of this museum-worthy collectible is definitively confirmed by the underside of the base. Here the original, rough chisel marks and the traditional hollowning are clearly visible, executed by hand at the time to reduce the marble’s weight and to prevent stresses in the natural stone. The rear of the statue also shows authentic traces of manual workmanship. The sculpture is in very good antique condition without structural breaks or restorations and, due to its serene presence and substantial mass, forms a premier piece for enthusiasts of early Southeast Asian antiques.

Dimensions: 30 x 21 x 9 cm
Weight: 4,045 g