Southeast Asia, Burma (present day Myanmar), ca. 19th century CE. A gilded carved wooden statue of a Nat figure seated upon a double lotus pedestal with her left hand upon the knee of her folded left leg, her right elbow resting upon her upraised right knee, and her right fist clenched. She wears a sampot, a long rectangular cloth garment representing a 1500-year-old tradition, on the lower body, the drapery of which is rendered with folds and extensive decorations. In addition, she is bedecked with a necklace, armlets, wristlets, ear ornaments, an elaborate crossed sash over the chest and back, the front section with a circular surround perhaps for a former inlay, and a flame finial atop her coiffure in the style known as bokor, the "hump of the bull", seen on women in much ancient southeast Asian artwork. Her visage is mesmerizing with that steadfast gaze comprised of almond-shaped eyes inlaid with stone, arched brows, and heart-shaped ruby red lips. Size: 24.5" L x 8" W (62.2 cm x 20.3 cm)

A Nat is a spirit worshipped in Burma alongside Buddhism. These figures are mountain and forest guardians, or village guardians, and each village has a unique one; they are said to be humans who met violent deaths, and they have human wants and needs. This means that they are flawed figures, often with taboo desires, in opposition to the worship of the Buddha.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection acquired at Indochine Gallery

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#128584

Surface wear with losses to gilding as shown, but much remains. Finish and white painted detail on back of base is a bit worn. Finial on coiffure carved separately. Right arm was broken and reattached. If there was an inlay in the circular section of sashes crossed over the torso, it is missing. Probably once held an attribute in right hand.