Shan Period Burmese Gilt Quartz Crystal Buddha Shakyamuni

Description: Cast with a serene and noble expression, this crystal sculpture of the Buddha Shakyamuni depicts him in deep meditation, his eyes cast down, and his fingers outstretched in the earth-witnessing gesture (bhumisparsha mudra). This represents the pivotal moment of his enlightenment and his triumph over the demon king Mara at Bodh Gaya, India. The artist appears to have envisioned the historical Buddha’s enlightenment as a moment of quiet realization. Detailed care is given to his plump toes and slender fingers. This figure embodies various iconographic features of a supranatural being (mahalakshana), including the three folds across his neck, elongated earlobes reflecting his past life as a prince, and a tall cranial bump (ushnisha). Please see photos for condition details as the pictures are considered part of the description.

Date: 13th C.

Dimensions: 27″x23″x10″

Weight: 500 lbs +/-

Medium: Quartz Crystal

Condition: Very Good

Provenance: Purchased in the 1980s in NYC by an avid collector of Southeast Asian antiques. Dealer in NYC imported from Burma sometime shortly before however there are no records of prior ownership.