Buddhist Art
Our collection of antique Burmese Buddha statues and antique Burmese monk statues is broadly divided into two periods:
- Shan period
- Mandalay period
Each period has very distinctive design techniques, illustrated below for reference.
We also showcase a small section of old figures carved in wood and stone together with a limited number of tribal Buddha statues from Laos.
In the future we may add some Buddha and monk statues dating from the Amarapura period [Amarapura period is a transition period between the Shan and Mandalay periods].
Shan period: 17th century – end of 18th century
The fine characteristics of Shan Buddha statues are: a large, triangular face with finely shaped nostrils, small and thin lips and elongated ear lobes. The eyebrows, placed high on the forehead, well above the eyes, are shown as an etched line. The ushinsha [top of the head illustrating the Buddha’s enlightenment] is pointed. The Buddha is often displayed wearing a simple robe and holding his right hand in the gesture of calling the Earth to witness whilst his left hand indicates meditation. It is extremely rare to see a standing or a reclining Buddha of this period.
Mandalay period: 19th century – early 20th century
At the end of the 18th century a new style of Buddha images – called Mandalay – appeared. In this style the face of the Buddha is oval with a long, pointed nose and thick lips whilst the eyebrows are normal. Curved ear lobes are placed well behind the head and the ushinsha [top of the head illustrating the Buddha’s enlightenment] is round. The Buddha is always displayed wearing a long robe with delicate folds and shown either in a sitting, standing or reclining posture. Early Mandalay Buddha statues were predominantly made in bronze and marble, followed by representations in wood and lacquer.
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