Shan Burmese Cast Bronze Buddha

This particularly fine cast bronze Buddha from the Shan States of Eastern Burma, sits in the ‘earth touching’ or bhumispara position, also known as the ‘calling the earth to witness’ pose, whereby the Buddha, seated in meditation under the Bodhi tree on the evening before his enlightenment, is challenged by the demon Mara to prove that he had given alms. The Buddha touched the ground with his right hand and asked the earth to bear witness to his past good deeds (Fraser-Lu & Stadtner, 2015, p. 152).

The image has been cast as a single piece with the elongated features often seen among Shan Buddha images. The head faces forward but with a slight downward tilt, the eyes are almost fully closed, and the eyebrows are joined and double. The nose is prominent and flared. The lips turn up at the corners, almost with a wry smile. The ears are elongated – they are those of a prince – to the point that the lobes rest on the shoulders, which are square. The hairstyle is akin to neat rows of peppercorns.

The image wears the simple robes of a monk. His right shoulder has been left bare. He sits on a high, tiered throne. Such thrones are characteristic of Burmese and Shan Buddha thrones.

The elongated extension to the top of the Buddha’s head is also peculiar to Burmese and Shan images and seems to have its origins in seventeenth century representations of the Buddha (Lowry, 1974). The example here however is unusually tall and elongated and more like a spire, rising from a tiered section.

There is a flattened cartouche at the back of the throne, and the throne itself has been cast with sharp petal motifs.

The image is in excellent condition. The surface patina is dark and the contours have been softened with age and handling.

It sits evenly, without rocking.

The image was acquired in the UK and no doubt arrived in the UK during the colonial era.

Overall, it is a particularly fine version of this type of Buddha.