Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning hand-carved wooden Buddha shown seated in lotus position atop a multi-tiered pedestal with hands in the Bhumisparsa mudra and boasting a lustrous gilding. Capped by an elaborate lotus crown with a towering ushnisha, the tranquil deity exhibits a round visage composed of slender eyes, a high brow, a naturalistic nose, and a petite, smiling mouth, all flanked by elongated ears that extend all the way to the shoulders, symbolizing Buddha's all-hearing powers and wisdom. His slender body is elaborately adorned by several necklaces and strands of Japamala beads (prayer beads), some of which cascade down his figure to rest on his belly, as well as a pair of wing-like adornments that flare out from mid-way down his arms and two sizable flame-like ornaments that lay on either side of his head. The verso of the base features a square opening to a hollow chamber where devotees can place prayers, Japamala beads, and other devotional objects. A serene and superb example! Size: 9" W x 20" H (22.9 cm x 50.8 cm)

The Buddha displays the Calling Earth to Witness mudra, also known as Subduing Mara or Bhumisparsa representing the moment just prior to enlightenment, with the Buddha sitting in meditation, his left hand in his lap with palm upright, and his right hand palm downward touching the earth. At the moment just before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, the demon Mara viciously attacked him with his troops of monsters attempting to scare him away from his seat under the bodhi tree. However, the Buddha to be remained. Mara claimed that his spiritual deeds were greater than Siddhartha's challenging the Buddha to be. Then Siddhartha extended his right hand to touch the earth, Mara disappeared, and Siddhartha achieved enlightenment.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Indochine Gallery, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

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#164045

Chips and losses to base. Proper left ear and two back crown points have been reattached with restoration over break lines. Stable hairline fissure on base. Felt pads on base. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining gilding and pigments. Light earthen deposits in recessed areas.