Laos / 18th-19th Century / Maravijaya Buddha In Bronze With Dark Patina

Origin: Laos
Age: 18th - 19th century
Dimensions: 17.7 x 9.8 cm
Material: Bronze
Condition: Accident on the right part of the base, beautiful dark patina and normal wear

The Buddha is represented seated cross-legged on an openwork base embellished with trilobed leaves. The right leg is folded over the left leg, the right hand brushing the ground with the tips of the fingers in the gesture of taking the Earth to witness (Bumisparsa Mudra), and the left hand placed in its lap, the palm turned towards the 'outside. This gesture symbolizes the victory of the Awakened over Mâra, prince of desires and personification of death. The Awakened is dressed in the uttarasanga, the monastic robe, which completely covers him. The face is characterized by perfectly curved eyebrow arches surmounting two almond-shaped eyes, the latter framing a small aquiline nose overhanging a mouth with a discreet smile. The ears have lobes distended by the weight of the royal jewels that the Blessed used to wear as a prince, the hairstyle consists of small pimples, the skull surmounted by the usnisa from which emerges a rasmi in the form of of lotus bud.

The art of Laos was strongly influenced by its two powerful neighbours, the Kingdom of Siam and the Khmer Empire. It was not until the 14th century that a resolutely original art appeared in Laos with the creation of the Kingdom of Lan Xang.