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Could someone please tell me what I have, all I know it came from Burma. Appreciate any information to learn more about the two Buddha.

Regads
Andreas

Yes, the style is burmese. The right one is in the particular style of the Shan States. The gesture is bhumisparsha-mudra (touching the earth), symbolizing Buddhas' victory over demon Mara (maravijaya). May I ask where did you obtain them?
Regards,
Dan

Hi Dan,
thanks for your interest, fyi I used to live and work in Thailand many years. I know a guy for years(karen tribe, friend of may nanny..) who buys staff in Burma and then sells in BKK (not allways knowing what he got himselve, others then he gets his stuff from farmers etc. - not professional) - so far he was reliable and honest, allways explaind what is old, new or even fake. In this case he said it is a minimum of 100 years, Shan period but could be older - but he does not realy know.

I agree the left one (no 1) looks like some work has been done recently ... hands in particular look to sharp - however overall both pieces do not show the usual give away signs of new treated to look old... face is in the same condition as the rest, tip of No. 2 broken and face flat, fyi they are not marple it is limestone and quite soft... no 2 is better made, body has more proportions and structure.
Not sure this helps but I would like to know your view.

Ernes,
finesse is not nesessarily a sign of old origin this one is more sort of naive and as this material is soft with missing structure ... however, just guessing.

Thanks
Andreas

Judging by the first picture, my impression is that it is sloppy workmanship, and that the items are artificially aged. The finesse is missing.Therefore they are modern.
Ernest

Dear andreas,
the modern fakers use acid, stone from original sites, even laser scans to reproduce. And there's absolutely no technical-scientific method to prove the age of a stone carving.
The only ways to authenticate a piece are through provenance or scientific analysis of lacqueur or smut traces on a piece. Expirienced dealers or curators can do their best recognizing a fake by handling it. But nevertheless, the auction houses and museums are crowded with fakes.

One more point: Selling real antiques to private persons from other countries is strictly forbidden in Thailand. I doubt that your friend would risk a hard punishment for some hundred Dollars. And further I think that most thai dealers know their stuff very well. Telling not to know what it is, is just a protection for them. Please note that this is just my personal opinion and I don't want to discredit your pieces.
Regards,
Dan

Hello the 2 buddhas are both from shan state they are made of soapstone not limestone they are to be dated late 18thc.-early 19thc as I was a field collector of buddhas in this region you can still see them in remote caves and stupas .. and it is not a crime to sell or buy Burmese buddhas in Thailand as long as it is not a stolen national treasure.. Now that being said to bring them into Thaiand from burma now is prohibited .. Johnny

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