Buddha, Shan State, Burma. 18th-19th centuries.

Buddha, Shan State, Burma. late 18th century, early 19th century.
Tai Yai ethnic group.
Bronze.
Excavation patina.
With some faults.
Measurements: 23 x 14 x 6 cm.

Burmese Buddha belonging to the Tai Yai ethnic group. Seated in the posture of the lotus flower, he performs a mudra that symbolizes that he takes the earth as a witness. It is called Bhumisparsa mudra, or gesture of touching the earth. It alludes to the moment in which Buddha solved the problem of ending suffering when he was under the tree in Bodhi-Gaya. We can also identify numerous lakshana, iconographic symbols that identify the Buddhas. The first we see is the bun hairstyle, symbol of meditation, of spiritual life (inspired by a stupa). We can also see the eyelids folded, symbol of concentration and purity, for its similarity with the petals of the lotus, and complete a serene face with a sketched smile, symbol of balance and serenity of a perfect being. The elongated lobes of the ears allude to the large earrings worn by members of the upper classes in India contemporary to Sakyamuni, and represent the concepts of greatness, nobility and wisdom.