Gautama Buddha
Burmese School
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1700 - 1799
Materials
Alabaster and gilded lacquer
Measurements
810 mm (H)
Place of origin
Burma
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180729
Summary
Alabaster, Gautama Buddha, Burmese School, 18th century. Buddha seated in the meditation pose on a lotus seat with his right hand pointing downwards indicating to the tempter Mara that the earth goddess would bear witness to his enlightnement under the Bodhi tree. His monk's robe has been shown by a thin coat of gilded lac composition, patterned in relief to represent the cloth borders. The technique of applying threads of lac mixed with other ingredients is called 'thayo' Burma, 18th century. See catalogue pg.120.
Provenance
It seems likely that this image came into the possession of the 2nd Lord Clive following Capt.Syme's first British Mission to Burma in 1785 or that of Capt.Cox, his successor as Resident at the Burmese court, who returned to India in 1798. Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963.
Makers and roles
Burmese School , sculptor