Wood, lacquer and gilding. Burma, Shan, 18th to 19th cent.

Buddha maravijaya with earth-touching gesture, bhumisparsha, seated on a high throne on base with multiple tiers. High forehead with sovereign appearance, the tall lotus bud emphasizes the markedly central spiritual axis. Large sash on the front of the throne.

HEIGHT 23,3 CM

Expertise: Wolfmar Zacken

From the old collection of a German noble house.

Note on the Shan-Buddhas:The following, stylistically very unique and unmistakable depictions of Buddhacome from the Shan region in north-east Burma, although one is from thebordering region of Siam. The Shan are counted among the Siamese andmigrated to Burma long ago. These Buddha sculptures made for home altars,in this case smaller, carved works, place the Gautama Shakyamuni on a, thus,markedly high throne and not in the lotus position padmasana, but ratherin the half-crossed paryankasana. The hand-position is always that of earthtouching,calling the earth-goddess to witness his victory over Satan, Mara(thus also called Maravijaya). Noteworthy is the vertically elongated head withthe often very tall “spire” of stylized lotus buds, which also have the form ofketumala (flames); clearly Thai Buddha.Information provided states that all objects are from the collection of aGerman noble house.