A VERY LARGE GILT AND DRY-LACQUERED SCULPTURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, SHAN STATES, KONBAUNG PERIOD
Burma, 1752-1885. Seated in dhyanasana with his right hand lowered in bhumisparsa mudra and the left held above his lap, wearing a samghati draped over the left shoulder, the serene face with downcast eyes, gently arched eyebrows, and full lips forming a calm smile, flanked by elongated earlobes, the hair arranged in tight spikes with a high ushnisha surmounted by a jewel.

Provenance: Danish trade.
Condition: Presents magnificently overall. The flame jewel above the ushnisha is possibly a replacement. Some losses to the hair spikes. Old wear and weathering, nicks, surface scratches, age cracks, losses, flaking to lacquer, minor old repairs, extensive wear to gilt. Nevertheless, dry lacquer sculptures of significant age are usually heavily damaged, hence it must be concluded that this piece is in good condition commensurate with age.

Dimensions: Height 122 cm

The founding of Shan States inside the present-day boundaries of Burma began during the Pagan Kingdom in the Shan Hills and accelerated after 1287, when the Pagan Kingdom fell to the Mongols. The Tai people, who came south with the Mongols, stayed, and quickly came to dominate much of the northeastern arc of Burma. The newly founded Shan States were multi-ethnic, and included minorities such as the Chin, the Kachin, the Wa, the Ta'ang, the Lisu, the Lahu, the Pa O, and the Kayah. Although Burmanized Shans founded the Ava Kingdom that ruled central Burma, other Shan States, Mohnyin in particular, constantly raided Ava territories throughout the years. A Mohnyin-led Confederation of Shan States finally conquered Ava in 1527.

In 1555, King Bayinnaung dislodged Shan king Sithu Kyawhtin from Ava. By 1557 he went on to conquer all of what would become known as the Burmese Shan States under his rule, from the Assamese border in the northwest to those in Kachin and Shan Hills, including the two most powerful Shan States, Mohnyin and Mogaung. The Shan States were reduced to the status of governorships, but the Saophas (rulers) were permitted to retain their royal regalia and their feudal rights over their own subjects. Bayinnaung introduced Burmese customary law and prohibited all human and animal sacrifices. He also required the sons of Saophas to reside in the Burmese king's palace, essentially hostages, in order to ensure the good conduct of their fathers and to receive training in Burmese court life. Burmese kings continued this policy until 1885 when the kingdom fell to the British. In the mid-18th century, the Burmese Konbaung dynasty's reassertion of the easternmost boundaries of Burmese Shan States led to war with China, following which eight of the Chinese Shan States were briefly occupied by the Kingdom of Burma. The Burmese success in repelling Chinese forces laid the foundation for the present-day boundary between Burma and China.

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related Shan-style lacquer Buddha, 201 cm high, dated to the 18th century, at Bonhams London in Fine Asian Art on 10 July 2006, lot 374, sold for GBP 18,000.