Buddha, Lan Na Kingdom. Northern Thailand, 16th century.

Buddha, Lan Na Kingdom. Northern Thailand, 16th century.
Finely cast bronze.
Intense green patina.
Good state of preservation.
Measurements: 28,5 x 18 x 12 cm.

Exceptional work of the kingdom of Lan Na. It stands out for the fineness of its features and its careful execution, as well as for the quality of the bronze. Sculpture of a seated Buddha, he makes 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 (with the Ushnisha inspired by a stupa). Together with the half-closed eyes, a serene face is completed by the sketched smile, symbol of the balance and serenity of a perfect being. The elongated earlobes allude to the large earrings worn by members of the upper classes in India at the time of Sakyamuni, and represent the concepts of greatness, nobility and wisdom.