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13. Buddha Sakyamuni Burma, Ava period 15th century Bronze, cast in two pieces by the lost wax method, traces of gilding height 54 cm. |
This image of the historical Buddha, Gautama Sakyamuni, is one of the most significant and popular depictions of the great teacher. It represents the moment he attained the state of enlightenment. Seated in vajrasana, his left hand rest in his lap and his right performs the bhumisparsamudra. With this gesture he calls the earth to witness his victory over Mara, who was the last obstacle in his attainment of perfection. Rising from the crown of his head is a finial-topped ushnisa, the symbol denoting his wisdom. His elongated earlobes – stretched by the weight of princely jewellery in his earlier life – reflect his royal origins. He is clad in a monastic robe that leaves his right shoulder uncovered. In the Ava period, the Burmese people looked back to Pagan as a golden age of peace and prosperity, as reflected in its magnificent architecture. The present bronze incorporates the typical characteristics of the Ava style Buddha image – the concentrated square face with bow shaped brows and a thin-lipped mouth, set on a relatively short neck, resting on broad shoulders. The body is stylized and the fingers are equal in length. The piece has in addition a beautifully constructed throne typical of the period and bearing an inscription on the back. The finely modelled and separately cast nimbus, which follows the contours of Buddha’s body, is ornamented with pearls and flower motifs and emphasizes the Buddha’s radiance. Provenance: Private collection, Belgium. Art Loss Register Certificate, Reference S00027838. S. Fraser-Lu, Buddha Images from Burma, Bronze and Related Metals, II, Arts of Asia, Jan.-Feb. 1981, s.p. H. Hasson, Ancient Buddhist Art from Burma, Singapore, 1993, p.45, no.33. D.P. Leidy, Treasures of Asian Art. The Asia Society’s Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, New York, 1994, p.93, no.75. |