Seated Buddha Sculpture

Media: wood carving with pigments
Cat no:BSARW002
Origin: Southern Laos
Age: 19th c
Measurement (WxDxH): 9x10x33"

Carved in a village style, the Buddha is seated on a raised throne in a "heroic posture" (virasana), with his legs folded over each other. His hands are in the gesture of Bhumisparsha mudra, which means calling the earth to witness his steadfastness. The execution of the carving and pigment decoration is primitive. This is in sharp contrast with the Buddha images found in the formal temple setting. On the façade of the throne, there are motifs with folk-art style, further indicating a rural setting where this Buddha image might be worshipped. Some regions of nowadays Southern Laos were part of Thailand in the 19th century before the border demarcation was imposed by Britain and France at the turn of 20th century.  Therefore although the item was collected in Southern Loas, it was made originally by Thai.