G767.3 SEATED JAMBHUPATI CROWNED BUDDHA

BURMA, ARAKAN

18^TH CENTURY

H. 62 CMS, 24 ½ INS

Note: Detachable silver repair to the top of the left finial.

 

A monumental crowned and jewelled bronze figure of Buddha, seated on an ornate lotus base with his right hand lowered in bhumisparsimudra (the gesture of summoning the earth to witness), the face meditative and serene beneath deeply arched brows and a tall crown enclosing a lotus finial, the base with a dedicatory inscription and two attendant monk figures.

 

Sylvia Fraser-Lu describes the origin of depictions of Buddha as Jambhupati:

‘The idea of representing Lord Buddha in something more splendid than his characteristic monk’s garb is thought to have come from a story where the Master dressed in royal attire to humble a proud overbearing king, Jambhupati, who was threatening one of his followers. The arrogant king was suitably overawed and subsequently converted. Buddha figures in kingly robes have come to be called jambhupati images. This type of Buddha figure is popular throughout Southeast Asia, and had its origins in Indian art belonging to the Pala period (circa A.D. 750-1150)’.

 

For three similar examples see Sylvia Fraser-Lu, Buddha Images from Burma, Part II: Bronze and Related Metals, Arts of Asia, March 1981 or see the following link: https://www.lasieexotique.com/page/LasieExotique-mag_buddha_II.html

 

See also, plates 49 and 50 in San Tha Aung, The Buddhist Art of Ancient Arakan, Rangoon: Department of Higher Education, 1979.

 

Provenance: Private UK collection.