Wood, lacquer and gilding. Burma, Shan, 18th to 19th cent.

On the front of the completely flat surface of the wedge shaped throne is a tightly engraved inscription. The Buddha has a compact head with a meditative expression and powerful, large conical lotus bud.HEIGHT 20.3 CM

HEIGHT 20,3 CM

Expertise: Wolfmar Zacken

From the old collection of a German noble house

Note on the Shan-Buddhas:The following, stylistically very unique and unmistakable depictions of Buddhacome from the Shan region in north-east Burma, although one is from thebordering region of Siam. The Shan are counted among the Siamese andmigrated to Burma long ago. These Buddha sculptures made for home altars,in this case smaller, carved works, place the Gautama Shakyamuni on a, thus,markedly high throne and not in the lotus position padmasana, but ratherin the half-crossed paryankasana. The hand-position is always that of earthtouching,calling the earth-goddess to witness his victory over Satan, Mara(thus also called Maravijaya). Noteworthy is the vertically elongated head withthe often very tall “spire” of stylized lotus buds, which also have the form ofketumala (flames); clearly Thai Buddha.Information provided states that all objects are from the collection of aGerman noble house.