{"product_id":"stone-ava-shakyamuni-buddha-head-17th-18th-century-copy","title":"Alabaster Buddha Head On Stand from Shan State - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis exceptionally beautiful \u003cstrong\u003e19th-century Burmese Buddha head\u003c\/strong\u003e originates from \u003cstrong\u003eShan State, Burma (Myanmar)\u003c\/strong\u003e and is finely carved from pale alabaster. The smooth, luminous quality of the stone gives the face a wonderful serenity, enhanced by the gently downcast eyes and subtle, contemplative smile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Buddha is depicted with the characteristic \u003cstrong\u003eelongated earlobes\u003c\/strong\u003e, recalling the heavy earrings worn during his former life as Prince Siddhartha, while the tightly rendered curls rise to a prominent \u003cstrong\u003eushnisha\u003c\/strong\u003e, symbolising spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. Traces of the original painted decoration remain across the hair, eyes, brows and mouth, with warm red and dark pigments providing a striking contrast against the translucent white alabaster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBurmese alabaster was particularly suited to devotional sculpture, its softly translucent surface lending a luminous quality to representations of the Buddha. The surviving areas of pigment and naturally aged surface give this head considerable character while preserving the calm expression of the original carving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe head has subsequently been mounted on a simple \u003cstrong\u003eebonised display stand\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing it to be appreciated as a sculptural object while leaving the historic carving unaltered. An exceptionally decorative and evocative example of 19th-century Burmese Buddhist sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alabaster, original pigments; later ebonised stand\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serene downcast expression; elongated earlobes; tightly curled hair; prominent ushnisha; surviving red and dark painted decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique condition with surface wear and losses to the original painted decoration consistent with age; later mounted on a display stand\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W22 × D18 × H48 cm including stand\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Indigo Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58501752586623,"sku":"M1162","price":2150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0217\/2522\/files\/alabaster_Buddha_Head_On_Stand_M1162.jpg?v=1790172115","url":"https:\/\/www.indigo-uk.com\/products\/stone-ava-shakyamuni-buddha-head-17th-18th-century-copy","provider":"Indigo Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}