Burmese Mandalay Wood Buddha Statue

This Burmese Mandalay Wood Buddha Statue exemplifies the Mandalay period (late 19th to early 20th century) of Burmese Buddhist art. The figure is depicted in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the “earth-witness” gesture, symbolizing the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment. The aesthetic is characterized by a youthful, serene countenance with inlaid stone eyes and a heavily stylized, ruffled robe decorated with thayo lacquer floral motifs and coloured glass mosaics, a hallmark of the Mandalay style.

Pedestal: The Buddha sits upon a single lotus pedestal, which is further embellished with mirror mosaics and thayo lacquer scrollwork.

The frontal Head band: is embellished with a horizontal register of clear glass beads extending from ear to ear. Situated immediately beneath this band is a secondary band of green glass mosaics. A prominent central medallion, composed of clear glass beads surrounding a focal red bead, serves as the primary decorative element of the circlet.

SPECIFICATIONS:

AGE: – Post Mandalay art period 1885 – 1948
MATERIAL: – Teak wood
HEIGHT: – 63cm
WIDTH: – 39cm
DEPTH: – 29cm
WEIGHT: – 10.5 kg.
#20

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Burmese Mandalay Wood Buddha Statue

Interior Detail: Evidence of this restorative work is visible in the underside of the pedestal, where black lacquer has been applied as a protective coating over the structural interventions which suggests a history of devoted maintenance and periodic renovation. The surface reflects an extensive re-gilding process, consistent with traditional practices of merit-making. To address longitudinal splits in the timber, the base has been hollowed out for stabilization and repair.

Despite these historical repairs, the statue remains a superior example of the highly decorative Mandalay tradition.