IMPORTANT BUDDHA. BRONZE.
Myanmar/Burma; Mandalay. Konbaung dynasty. Dated 1876.

Bronze with residue of lacquer and gilding. An extraordinary big figure of Buddha Shakyamuni; sitting in dhyan鈙ana; his hands in the earth gesture (bhumisparsa mudr?. His face is concentrated and calm. His sanghati robe is falling in elegant pleats over the base. The long inscription on the front of the base places the donation into the last years of King Mindon's reign (ruled 1853-78): "We donate this bronze Buddha; which was completed in 1876; for worshiping to gain merit and improve karma. On account of our meritorious deeds [may we?] attain Nirvana where all defilement is extinct" (translation by Mrs. San San May; Curator of the Burmese Collection; British Library; London). The text is followed by a detailed description in verse form of the amount of material used to cast this sculpture. Weight 260kg; height 112cm; width 93cm; depth 66cm. Condition A/B.

Provenance:
-Private collection Belgium since 1970.
-Art Loss Register certificate: S00064430.

Art trade; Van Ham.