Laos, XIXth Century, Important Bronze Reprsentation Of Maravijaya Buddha

Important bronze representation of Maravijaya Buddha

Laos
XIXth century

The Awakened is represented seated in the sattvaparyanka position on a high base, the right hand resting on the knee in bumisparsha mudra, the fingers pointing towards the ground, the left hand placed in his lap, palm facing the sky. The body with broad shoulders and powerful chest swollen with the vital breath is dressed in the samgathi, the monastic robe, flattened against the body and leaving the right shoulder uncovered, a long stretch of the fabric descending in a straight line on the navel. The youthful-looking face has large almond-shaped eyes with pupils underlined in black, the half-closed eyelids expressing great interiority. The eagle's beak nose surmounts a mouth with thick lips sketching a pronounced smile. The hairstyle consists of a multitude of small pimples, the top of the skull receiving the usnisa. The pointed ears, classics of Laos art, with lobes distended by the weight of the ornaments symbolize the royal origin of the Buddha. The neck adorned with the three folds of beauty.

The representation of our Buddha is part of the classic images of the canons of Buddhist statuary and refers to a particular episode in the life of the Awakened: demonic forces have just tried to overthrow him because their king, Mara, claims his place under the bodhi tree. As these forces proclaim the power of their master, Mara demands that the Buddha produce a witness to his Spiritual Awakening. The Buddha then just touches the ground with his right hand, and the Earth immediately responds, "I am a witness." Thus defeated, Mara and his minions disappear.


Bronze
Patina wear / Missing Rasmi
Old restorations
36.2 x 20.2 cm
Private collection