**Originally Listed At $600**

Southeast Asia, Laos or Thailand, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. This is a charming pair of miniature Buddha statues comprised of pottery cores covered in high quality sterling silver sheets chased with geometric and linear motifs. Both rest on tall dais pedestals sitting upright in lotus position, and hands forming the Bhumisparsha mudra, the "earth witness" gesture, one of the most iconic poses of Buddhism. They are dressed in a kasaya robe draped across the left shoulder, and one retains the spire ushnisha spire. These figures were formed in clay (sometimes resin) first, then silver leaf or foil sheets were hammered over the forms to enhance their value materialistically, and these votive figures were placed in pagodas or temples as offerings. Size: 1.5" L x 0.75" W x 3.3" H (3.8 cm x 1.9 cm x 8.4 cm); silver quality: 95.7%

Provenance: ex-Coup de Foudre, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170115

Losses to silver sheets on pedestals shown and loss to ushnisha and face on one Buddha. Surface abrasions and nicks to both silver and pottery. Dark patina to both.