“Crowned Buddha.” Burma, late 18th–early 19th century.

“Crowned Buddha.” Burma, late 18th–early 19th century.
Carved wood, lacquered, gilded, and inlaid with colored glass.
Acquired in Bangkok in 1973.
Provenance: bequest of Eudald Serra (Barcelona, 1911–2002).
It shows signs of wear and damage consistent with its age.
Measurements: 54 x 26 x 16 cm.

This type of crowned Buddha became particularly widespread between the 18th and 19th centuries. In contrast to the usual depiction of Siddhartha in austere monastic robes, here he is adorned with royal regalia, a visual expression of his status as a spiritual sovereign. This motif is also related to the iconography of Jambupati, widely found in Burma, in which the princely appearance serves to proclaim the Buddha’s spiritual supremacy. Comparable examples are preserved at the British Museum.

Seated in the lotus position, the Buddha performs the bhumisparsha mudra with his right hand—a gesture of touching the earth and calling upon it as a witness to his enlightenment. The figure combines a serene facial expression with clothing richly adorned with ornamental bands and jewelry, while the tall crown reinforces the verticality of the composition. The pedestal is particularly elaborate, featuring relief decoration and colored glass inlays—a characteristic feature of Burmese religious decorative arts and documented in contemporary sculptures made of lacquered and gilded wood.

The provenance of the Eudald Serra bequest adds special interest to the piece. A sculptor, traveler, and ethnographer, Serra was closely associated with the Museu Etnològic de Barcelona and participated in numerous documentation and acquisition campaigns in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The purchase of this sculpture in Bangkok in 1973 fits perfectly into that trajectory.