Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Burmese Buddha

Wooden Antique Buddha From 19th Century Burma

Lacquer Burmese Buddha With Gold and Glass

19th century Mandalay, the period within which this carving would have been crafted, was Burma's cultural and religious center of Buddhism. Mandalay today still has many monasteries and more than 700 pagodas.

The Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), sometimes referred to as the Alaungpaya Dynasty or the House of Alompra by the British colonial rulers, was the last dynasty of Burmese monarchy. Of the various types of sculpture that were crafted during the Konbaung Period the Mandalay style became dominant and has persisted until the present day.

The Konbaung Period predominantly provides us with sculptures of stone and wood, although Mandalay style images were sometimes produced using metal. The most popular icon in the Mandalay style is a seated Buddha animating the posture of calling the earth to witness. Thousands of this type of image were created during this period.

The buddha images of this style have full, fleshy bodies. A wide band, sometimes adorned with imitation gems, borders the forehead and resembles a jeweled tiara. The eyebrows are lower and more naturalistic, the mouth broader and more naturally smiling than those of Ava Period images. The ears are long, curve slightly and may touch the shoulders.

The world's official "Buddhist Bible", which popularly has gained a reputation as the world’s largest book, resides at the base of Mandalay Hill in Kuthodaw Pagoda. 729 stone slabs are inscribed with the complete Buddhist canon. Each slab or tablet has its own white stupa.