Jambuphati Buddha crowned. Burma, late 19th century.

Impressive crowned Jambuphati Buddha. Burma, late 19th century.
Carved wood sculpture.
Crown and flame made separately.
Finished with red lacquer and gold.
Good general condition, but has numerous cracks.
Measurements: 100 cm x 50 x 35 cm; 109 cm height with stand.

Sculpture of great size and delicate carving, precious in the execution of every detail. It represents Jambuphati assimilated to Buddha. He wears a sumptuous costume emulating courtly brocades, delicate earrings and his openwork crown has been carved with great precision. According to legend, Jambuphati was a warlord who submitted to the Dharma after realizing the greatness of the Buddha. He then decided to become a Buddhist monk. It is known that the first images of the crowned Buddha Jambuphati come from Pyu, where the Indian influence is strongly felt in the Buddhist arts during the eighteenth century. He has been depicted performing the mudra of taking the earth as a witness, seated in the lotus flower position. The Bhumisparsa mudra, or gesture of touching the earth, alludes to the moment in which Buddha solved the problem of ending suffering when he was under the tree in Bodhi-Gaya. The symmetry of his physiognomic features express serenity, the closed eyelids indicate meditation, the elongated earlobes denote nobility and wisdom. The carefully carved headdress is inspired by the shape of a stupa.