Burmese Alabaster Crowned Shan Buddha Statue
AGE: – Late 18th Century Second Innwa (Nyaungyan Period)
HEIGHT: – 58cm
WIDTH: – 35cm
DEPTH: – 13cm
WEIGHT:– 38.8kg.
#854 FOR PRICE: CONTACT
A masterpiece in craftsmanship, the beautiful 18th Century Burmese Alabaster Crowned Shan Buddha Statue, is seated on a double lotus pedestal with hand gestures in Bhumisparsa mudra. The robe, flanges, body, and pedestal are gilded and intricately incised to represent the royal regalia worn by a king.
This Buddha statue is shown with carved flanges decorating either side of the head, wearing large earrings extending over the shoulders, all carved from one piece of marble.
Read More
Large, gilded rings decorate each finger on the right hand and again on the thumb of the left hand. The crown is carved and incised in a lotus petal shape, supported by broadband circling the forehead. Above the crown is a large wide bulbous usnisha with a bulbous finial above, rising into a point.
This Buddha statue is from the Innwa area of upper Burma, referred to as the “Kingdom of Innwa” or the Court of Inwa. Innwa was the capital of Burma from 1364 A.D. until 1841 A.D.
Inwa, also referred to as Innwa or Ava, held the prestigious title of being the capital of successive Burmese kingdoms for a remarkable span of 360 years, spanning over five centuries. However, in the year 1839, this illustrious city was devastated by powerful earthquakes, leading to its eventual abandonment.
Originally established in 1365, Inwa was known as Ratanapura, meaning “City of Gems,” in classical Pali. Locally, it was called Awa or Ava. Strategically situated at the confluence of the Irrawaddy and Myitnge Rivers, the city was built on an artificial island formed by a canal that connected the two rivers upstream from their natural meeting point. Inwa was meticulously designed to serve as the capital of a newly unified kingdom, which was aptly named the Kingdom of Ava. This prestigious status endured for an impressive duration of 190 years, during which time it not only held the seat of power in Upper Burma but also witnessed a flourishing period of Burmese literature.
