Burmese Shan Tai Yai Buddha – Tiered throne

A Burmese Shan Tai Yai Buddha – Tiered throne, transitioning from the Amarapura to the Mandalay period, showing significant Tai Yai (Shan) influence in its high, indented lotus pedestal and intricate Thayo lacquer decorative patterns.

The sculpture features a refined aesthetic, characterized by a serene facial composition with downcast eyes and a subtle, meditative smile. The iconography is distinguished by the unique arrangement of the monastic robe, which is draped over the right shoulder in a manner consistent with the Pinya style.

The decorative robe utilizes Thayo lacquer to execute intricate floral scrollwork, further embellished with glass mosaic inlays across both the throne and the monastic vestments. The reverse of the lower pedestal contains a recessed cavity, identifying its original function as a relic chamber intended for the housing of sacred offerings or Buddhist relics.

Physical evidence of the statue’s history is visible through authentic age-related attrition, specifically the localized wear of the gilding and the underlying lacquer surface.