Buddha. Sri Lanka, 19th century.

Buddha. Sri Lanka, XIX century.
Gilded bronze.
Measurements: 14 x 13 x 7 cm (figure); 4,5 x 16 x 10 cm (pedestal).

Gilded bronze sculpture of a seated Buddha in the position of the lotus flower or Padmasana. His robes fall draping naturally from his left shoulder. With his hands he performs the Dhyana mudra, thus promoting the energy of meditation, deep contemplation and unity with the higher energy. His features are serene and peaceful, with a firm forehead, a sketched smile and half-closed eyelids. The ushnisha hairstyle symbolizes their high level of spiritual development. His earlobes are elongated due to his princely youth, when he wore heavy gold earrings. Every detail is perfectly depicted.

In Sri Lanka, Buddhist art bears characteristic porpores of the Kandy period: faces tend to be more rounded than in the preferred austere styles, gilding and other decorations are frequently used. Key examples are the gilded Buddhas of the Temple of the Buddha Tooth Relic in Kandy.