Seated buddha

Description

Śākyamuni is depicted here seated on a lotiform base in the so-called “noble” attitude (sattvaparyaṅka): the right leg is bent over the left leg, with only one sole of the foot remaining visible. He is sketching the gesture of taking the earth as witness, one of the six canonical gestures (mudrā) made by the Buddha at the main events of his life.

His features are characteristic: his pensive face is decorated with arched eyebrows that meet above his aquiline nose. His mouth reveals a discreet yet serene smile. At the top of the skull, above the highly developed protuberance (or uṣṇīṣa), stands a flame (rasmi), a symbol of the Blessed One’s spiritual strength. Fortunately preserved, this ornament is an influence of Sri Lankan art.

The well-preserved bronze patina here retains traces of gilding on the face. The face perpetuates the Sukhothai aesthetic, with the superciliary arches extending over the bridge of the nose, the hair treated in small juxtaposed curls and the beauty folds on the neck.

Provenance: Collection of Mr M. Laos, then sale by Etude Marie-Françoise Robert, 2004 (by repute).