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Royal Mandalay Buddha – Monumental Thayo & Glass Mosaic – Myanmar ca. 1900
€8,790Bid from €7,911
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About this seller
Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales
Product description
This exceptional antique Burmese Buddha statue is among the finest examples of the Mandalay tradition from the late 19th to early 20th century. The statue is entirely crafted from solid teak wood and richly finished with traditional thit-si lacquer, refined thayo relief, gold leaf, and thousands of individually placed mirror and glass inlays. The combination of these techniques required months of craftsmanship and was exclusively intended for temples, monasteries, and religious offerings. The historical Buddha is depicted in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the moment he touches the earth as a witness to his enlightenment. The left hand rests relaxed in the lap, while the right hand touches the earth. This iconography is among the most revered depictions in Buddhism and symbolizes victory over ignorance, inner strength, and spiritual awakening.
Dimensions
Height: 82 cm
Width: 72 cm
Weight: 33.8 kg
Origin: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Dating: circa 1880–1920
Materials: Solid teak wood, thit-si lacquer, thayo, gold leaf, and mirror/glass inlay
Exceptional mirror mosaic
Almost the entire surface of the statue is covered with thousands of individually applied mirror and glass inlays. Each fragment was hand-placed within raised thayo relief, after which the entire piece was gilded. The rich decoration creates a dazzling play of light, as originally intended under the warm glow of candles and oil lamps in Burmese temples. The natural wear of the gilding, the old craquelure of the lacquer, and the subtle differences in the mirror inlays attest to a long history and confirm the authentic character of the object.
Traditional thayo craftsmanship
The refined relief work is executed using the traditional Burmese thayo technique. This involves building up a natural lacquer paste into decorative patterns before gold leaf and mirror work are applied. This technique is among Myanmar's most characteristic art forms and was exclusively practiced by specialized workshops. The shoulder ornaments, clothing borders, and plinth display an exceptionally high level of detailing and demonstrate the time and craftsmanship invested in this statue.
Condition
The statue is in beautiful, authentic condition with normal signs of age appropriate for its history and original use. The gilding is largely preserved, while natural wear and minor losses are visible in places. These signs of use actually enhance the historical character and authenticity of the object.
For collectors
Due to the combination of its size, quality of execution, original materials, and exceptionally rich mirror mosaic, this is an impressive collector's item from the heyday of the Mandalay school. A charismatic artwork that holds a prominent place, both artistically and spiritually, within any serious collection of Asian art.
Additional details:
- Brand: 1stbuddha
- Style: Mandalay
- Style: Birmese
- Material: Massief teakhout
- Material: Thit-si lak
- Material: Thayo
- Material: Bladgoud
- Material: Spiegelinleg
- Material: Glasinleg
- Colour: Goud
- Period: ca. 1880–1920
- availability: in_stock
- product_type: Beeld / sculptuur
Specifications
CategorySculptureConditionVery goodSeller locationDamme, GermanyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales