Buddha. Lan Na Kingdom, northern Thailand, 19th century.

Buddha. Lan Na Kingdom, northern Thailand, 19th century.
Wooden sculpture.
Finished with lacquer and gold.
Good condition, with some cracks.
Measurements: 29,5 x 18 x 10 cm.

Thai sculpture, from the Lan Na kingdoms around the Mekong. The delicate oval stands out for the careful execution, which is transmitted to each of the chiseled details. The straight nose traces a symmetrical double bridge to draw the eyebrows. The closed eyelids indicate meditation, the elongated earlobes symbolize nobility and wisdom. The bhumi sparsa mudra ('gesture of touching the Earth', being bhumi: 'the planet Earth'; and sparsha: 'to touch') represents the moment when Buddha solved the problem of ending suffering when he was under the Bodhi tree. Usually represented by the Buddha seated in the lotus position, as in this magnificent bronze. The right hand almost touches the ground with the fingertips; the left hand rests on the leg with the palm facing upward. Buddha is seated on a throne whose synthesized vegetal forms evoke a lotus (symbol of purity).