Burmese Shan Crowned Tai Yai Buddha Statue
AGE: – 18th Century – likely earlier
CONSTRUCTION: – Wood
HEIGHT: – 74cm
WIDTH: – 29cm
DEPTH: – 20cm
WEIGHT: – 7.9 kg.
#919
18th Century or earlier wooden Burmese Burmese Shan Crowned Tai Yai Buddha Statue with thayo lacquer decorating a five lotus bud-shaped pronged crown with a large elongated usnisha with a long large carved finial. This Buddha image is seen here wearing a simple monk’s robe with hand gestures in bhumisparsa mudra, a slight curve to his narrow lips, highly arched eyebrows, and almond-shaped painted eyes. Thick upper torso and arms and slim waist.
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Metal rings on either side of the base were probably used for securing the figure in a temple or monastery. A hole underneath the base would indicate that there could have been some termite activity, but none now, the wood has been treated and sprayed for termites as per Australian custom requirements. We think that the flanges have been replaced later in the life of this statue, although not in recent times. Frequently older statues in monasteries were given new life by painting, re-gilding, and other repairs.
This statue was more than likely crafted during the early Konbaung dynasty (1752 – 1885) when the crafting of a royal crowned Buddha image took on a simpler form lacking the glass mosaics seen on many later Tai Yai Buddha statues. The Konbaung dynasty was the last dynasty to rule Burma.