Burmese Ava Period Marble Buddha Statue

The face on Shan statues also vary quite a bit, on some of the Ava statues they look sweet and innocent with wide open eyes, looking straight ahead, giving them a childlike expression; it is believed that this expression was to reflect the Buddha’s purity and innocence. This particular statue appears to us with a face that is “all wise”.

Shan state, also referred to as Shanland or Muang Tai, is the largest state in Myanmar, covering almost a quarter of the whole country, it shares a border with Laos in the East, Thailand to the South, and China in the north.

Ava Period (1364-1555)

The Kingdom of Ava became the ruling kingdom after the fall of Pagan in 1364. Due to frequent raids by rival Shan groups, it was eventually destroyed in 1527, this gave way to the Toungoo Dynasty which still ruled from the Ava Capital.

Toungoo Dynasty (1597 – 1752)

In 1634 Ava again became the capital under the Toungoo dynasty, only to fall into the hands of the Mon in 1752 which was short-lived after being pushed back by the Shan.

Konbaung Period (1753-1885)

In 1753 King Alaungpaya regained control of Ava but chose to move the capital to Shwebo, just 60 miles further north founding the Konbaung dynasty.

From 1860 – 1885 during the Mandalay period, the artistic creation of the Buddha became more adventurous, and carved Buddha statues dressed in royal attire with crowns and flanges became very popular.