Burma, 18th century, Bronze Buddha in bumisparsha mudra position

Burma
18th century
Bronze
15.5 x 6.6 cm
Nice old patina from excavation
Private collection

 °°° Price can be reasonably negotiated °°°

Representation of a Burmese Buddha from the 18th century. He is depicted seated in the bumisparsha mudra position on a stepped pedestal, his left hand placed in his lap, palm turned towards the sky, his right hand placed on his knee, fingers slightly curved (classic of Burmese iconography), pointed towards the ground. The legs are crossed in the full lotus position (vajraparyanka), the soles of the feet facing upwards. This representation of the Buddha evokes Sakyamuni's victory over the demon Mara and may be interpreted as an allegory of enlightenment. The body is covered with the uttarasanga revealing the right shoulder, the chest is broad and the hips narrow, the drapery presenting a long flap starting from the left shoulder and descending in a straight line to the navel.
The face, with its severe majesty, has fine eyebrows with a perfect curve, surmounted by large, half-closed, almond-shaped eyes, the latter with heavy eyelids giving the face a great interiority, the aquiline nose overhanging a wide mouth with a pronounced smile. The hairstyle is characterized by a multitude of small spikes, the skull presenting a deformation (usnisa) surmounted by a rasmi in the shape of a lotus bud. The ears have lobes distended by the weight of the ornaments and symbolize the royal origin of the historical Buddha.

The representation of our Buddha is part of the classical images of the canons of Buddhist statuary and refers to a particular episode in the life of the Awakened One. The latter being close to attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Mara, the god of unfulfilled desires, tries to distract the Blessed One and claims the throne of enlightenment for himself. Faced with the repeated assaults of Mara, the Buddha remains impassive and by this symbolic gesture, takes the Earth as witness of his will to reach complete Enlightenment.

Ref: YS52ZZ1N73