Burmese Seated Shan Buddha

Hand-carved in the mid-17th century by a Shan artisan of Burma, this seated Buddha figure embodies virtues of wisdom and composure. The Buddha is seated in vajrasana with hands in the bhumisparsha mudra, a gesture representing the moment that the Buddha claimed the earth as witness to his awakening. This posture celebrates the Buddha's unwavering strength of focus as he resists distraction and temptation from the demon King Mara to achieve enlightenment. The figure's painted surface has aged beautifully over the centuries, and still bears traces of its original gilt finish.