279 - Seated Buddha in meditation, Shan art, Burma, 18th century

Seated Buddha in meditation, Shan art, Burma, 18th century Dry-laid gilt. Measures approximately 40 cm. Seated figure of Buddha in a meditative posture, with the body facing forward and the legs folded steadily on an elaborate pedestal. The surface is richly gilded and profusely ornamented with inlays of colored mirrors or sulfides that run along the garments and adornments, creating chromatic flashes that visually enliven the composition. The monastic robes are structured with striated motifs and flame-like forms, combined with an abundant array of ornaments covering the arms, torso, and legs, while the head is crowned with a tall, stupa-shaped tiare that reinforces the verticality of the whole. The plinth is decorated with stylized elephants, integrated into the base as a symbolic and visual support. The work presents small accidents compatible with its age, and manifests the distinctive features of the art of the Shan States Kingdom in Burma during the 18th century, where decorative richness and the use of shiny materials intensify the visual impact and devotional presence of the sculpture.