Thai Bronze Buddha's Hand

This 19th-century Buddha's hand sculpture from Thailand is finely cast of bronze with lifelike features and a beautifully dark patina. The slender left hand is held gracefully in varada mudra, the gesture of mercy and compassion, with wrist bent and palm facing outwards. This mudra symbolizes the gift of truth and knowledge that the Buddha offers to the world and his vow to save others from the "river" of suffering. An old repair is visible on the thumb of this hand.