Large Dry Lacquer Buddha, Burma, 19th Century.

Large dry lacquer Buddha represented in Bhumisparsa mudra, or gesture of taking the earth to witness. This gesture represents the Awakening of Buddha. It holds a great place in Buddhist imagery, because it is the symbol of victory over Mara (death, the demon, the great place of desires and passions). Mara attempted to interrupt Buddha's meditation by presenting him with every possible distraction. Buddha, in response, touched the earth, calling upon nature and the earth goddess Sthavara to demonstrate his resolve. Dry, or hollow, lacquer, called mon-yun, is placed on a clay sculpture, which is removed once the lacquer has dried. Many layers of lacquer-soaked hemp cloth are then applied, the surface details then being modeled with a mixture of lacquer, sawdust, powdered clay stone, and other materials, including gold leaf. Burma, 19th century. Height: 1.12m at the ushnisha