Southeast Asia, Burma, modern day Myanmar, Mandalay period, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning sculpture of Buddha, skillfully hand-carved from creamy pink alabaster and depicted seated in lotus position with hands in the Bhumisparsha mudra atop a tiered throne. Capped by an elaborate lotus crown with a towering ushnisha, the tranquil deity exhibits a round visage comprised of slender eyes, a narrow brow, a naturalistic nose, and a petite, smiling mouth, all flanked by elongated ears that extend all the way to the shoulders. The serene figure is elaborately adorned with annular earrings, as well as a bejeweled breast plate and shoulder pads. Incised decoration and openwork motifs additionally embellish the back of his thrown. Size: 3.3" W x 7.8" H (8.4 cm x 19.8 cm); 8.6" H (21.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The Buddha displays the Calling Earth to Witness mudra, also known as Subduing Mara or Bhumisparsha 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 New York, New York, USA collection; ex-J.B. collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#167501

Losses to peripheries of back of throne and base. Softening of some finer details, commensurate with age. Some expected nicks, chips, and abrasions. Otherwise, very nice with some light earthen deposits in areas.