Pair Of Burmese Buddhas Made Of Lacquered Papier-mâché – Konbaung Period, 18th–early 19th Century

Pair of seated Buddhas made of lacquered papier-mâché, Burma (Myanmar), Mandalay region, Konbaung tradition, circa 1750–1825. Both sculptures retain red and black lacquer and traces of original gilding. They are offered as a set.

Both figures perform the Bhumisparsha mudra, the gesture of touching the earth as a witness to enlightenment. They follow the same iconographic vocabulary while exhibiting differences in the crown finial, the bases, and the modeling details, reflecting their distinct manual craftsmanship.

The construction combines papier-mâché with internal organic reinforcements. The relative lightness of each piece is characteristic of this ritual technique. Previous analysis included UV, microscopic, and internal examinations, documenting the lacquer, gilded remnants, and deposits.

An official Thai export permit accompanies the pair. One Buddha retains its export label. The other bears the added date “19 05 51” on the back: this inscription is later and does not correspond to the date of manufacture.

Stable antique condition for display, with wear on the lacquer and gilding, localized surface discoloration, and deposits.

Figure A with label: height 65.5 cm, width 31 cm, weight 3.5 kg. Figure B: height 64.5 cm, width 30 cm, weight 4 kg. Total weight: 7.5 kg. Reference: 201.