Laos / Old Buddha in lacquered and gilded wood / End of the 18th century - Beginning of the 19th century

Ancient Buddha Maravijaya from Laos.
He is represented seated on a high plinth in the vajraparyanka position, the attitude of the diamond lotus or half lotus. He is in meditation, his left hand resting in his lap while his right hand touches the ground. The Buddha is dressed in the uttarasangha monastic robe, leaving his chest and right shoulder uncovered. The disproportionately large face is characterized by long, comma-shaped browbones meeting at the base of the nose. Half-closed almond-shaped eyes frame the latter which overhangs a mouth sketching a slight smile. The ears are long and have lobes distended by the weight of the jewelry that the Buddha used to wear as a prince. The hair treated with small incisions is surmounted by the usnisa (cranial protuberance) welcoming a long rasmi (flame ornament), symbolizing the spiritual radiance of the Awakened one.

The scene represented here refers to a fundamental episode in the life of the Awakened One: demonic forces have just tried to overthrow him because their king, Mara, claims his place under the bodhi tree. As these forces proclaim the power of their master, Mara demands that the Buddha produce a witness to his spiritual awakening. The Buddha just touches the ground with his right hand, and the Earth immediately responds "I am a witness." Defeated, Mara and her minions disappear. The morning star appears in the sky. This moment of enlightenment is the foundational experience of the entire Buddhist tradition.

Dimensions: 37.8 x 12.2 cm
Condition: Wear to gilding
Provenance: Former private American collection

Ref: 6319NLC0BI