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Re: Four Statues

Posted By: Soe Lwin
Posted Date: Jul 01, 2010 (01:31 PM)

Message
Dear Bill H.,

Thank you for your post. I am very new (just under 4 months) in antiques, so I learn a lot from your posts (not just on my questions).

You were either in Burma for a long time (how long were you here and when?) or know a lot of Burmese since you are the only one that I have ever met online (outside of Burmese forums) who can tell I am male and Burmese (from your usage of 'U'). I am 26 (not so old!), so Maung (Mg) might be a better prefix instead of 'U'. However, I do not mind with this since this is a way of showing respect to strangers.

Anyway, back on topic, the seller (from Bago, Myanmar if you have been there) said that they all come from underground. He's been a long time acquaintance of my relatives and since he bought it from others (before selling it to us), I am sure it isn't intentional if they don't turn out as he described.

I thought the first one is probably Chinese. The last time I was in Pagan was more than 10 years ago and I wasn't into antiques at that time, so I can't recall much. (And I was abroad for the past 6 years.)So you can be right. The seller also mentioned it as Burmese.

Your description of second and third Buddha's doesn't differ much from what he said either. The third one could come from the Burma-Thailand border where fake Burmese antiques are made or similar methods could have been employed to make it looks old. I will ask others for their opinions also about it.

The fourth was bought as Late Pyu or early Pagan piece. Pyu, being not considered as 'real' Burmese, could make pieces which are more similar to Indian or even Chinese. It could indeed have come from India (not Burmese) as you definitely have more knowledge than the seller and I do. What could this piece refer to? Is it a young Gautama Buddha before he was enlightened (as the seller said)? Or some some sort of spiritual or heroic figure?

Once again, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and knowledge. As you probably know, in this country, very few, except a few elite collectors who I do not know, understand antiques well. I have thus to rely most on reading online.

All the best,
Soe Lwin

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Re: Re: Four Statues - Bill H - Jul 11, 2010 (11:02 PM)