Shakyamuni Buddha, Bronze, Laos, Lan Xang, 17th Century.

This bronze sculpture depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The facial features are very characteristic of Laotian art: highly stylized, strongly arched eyebrows extending to the bridge of the nose; a relatively neutral, smiling expression; elongated ears reaching down to the shoulders; and thick hair with fine curls. The Buddha is depicted in the lotus position, with his hands forming the Bhumisparsha mudra—the gesture of invoking the earth as a witness. He is clad in a light monk’s robe (uttarasanga) with a cloth sash (sanghati) draped over his left shoulder.

Bronze cast using the lost-wax technique, hand-chiseled, with traces of gilding.

Laos (Lan Xang) or northeastern Thailand, 17th century.

Height 53 cm, width 28 cm, depth 24 cm.

Condition: relatively good; visible losses on the base; the ushnisha at the top of the head has a broken or missing tip.

Delivery to be arranged.