A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SEATED BUDDHA IN MARAVIJAYA


Thailand, Bangkok/Rattanakosin period, 19th centurycast copper alloy, red and gold lacquer, gold and mirror inlayoverall 86 cm. (33 7/8 in.) high, base 34 cm. (13 3/8 in.) high
|泰國 拉達納哥信王國/曼谷王朝 十九世紀 銅鎏金佛坐像Provenance:Private Collection, UKThe Buddha is seated on a tapered, stepped base in virasana, the heroic posture. His left-hand rests gently on his lap whilst the elongated fingers of his right hand are outstretched in bhumisparsamudra. This gesture echoes his call of the Earth to witness and attest to his achievement of maravijaya: Enlightenment, thus taking this throne and vanquishing Mara's demonic retinue. Dressed in monk's garb, with his feet, right shoulder and full arm exposed, the Buddha wears a long scarf that falls diagonally from the left shoulder above the navel, culminating in cascading folds. The upper edge of the lower garment is prominent by virtue of an undulating ridge. The full lips are delineated in a serene half smile, his heavy-lidded eyes are inlaid with shell and glass, and the elongated earlobes frame his face. In recognisable symbolism, the hair is outlined with a narrow band and tied in tight, spiky curls that encompass his head and ushnisha.