Buddha In Lacquered And Gilded Wood, Siam, 18th C.

Standing Buddha, large, in lacquered and gilded wood, in the gesture of absence of fear, protection, abhaya mudrà. This gesture evokes the episode where Buddha was attacked by a furious elephant in the streets of Rajagarha. The animal, renowned for its bad temper, came from the stables of Ajatasatrù, king of Magadha. He had been drunk at the instigation of Devadatta, the Buddha's "bad cousin", who wanted to assassinate him. But the elephant, arriving before the Master, was captivated by his serenity, stopped short and knelt before him to pay homage. Lacquered and gilded wood. Some of the gilding is missing on the torso, shoulders and hands. Height with base: 1.23m Siam, 18th century.