A classic Burmese bronze Buddha from the late 19th/early 20th century, with the simple, unadorned lines of the Ava Period, is softened with roundness in the face and body. The stepped throne, rather than the traditional diamond shape, also is rounded, adding to the settled, secure look of the figure. Legacies of the traditional Ava style also are seen in the well defined brow over lowered eyes, the slight smile, and a band separating hair and forehead. (See a very similar face on another bronz... Click for details
Khmer bronze four-armed Vishnu standing on a rectangular base and holding attributes in his hands, wearing a sampot can kpin. He is adorned with conical-shaped diadem, earrings, pectoral, armlets, bracelets and anklets.
Khmer bronze Vishnu standing on a rectangular base and holding attributes in his hands, wearing a sampot can kpin. He is adorned with conical-shaped diadem, earrings, pectoral, armlets, bracelets and anklets.
Khmer bronze Uma standing on a rectangular base and holding attributes in her hands, wearing long sampot. She is adorned with conical-shaped diadem, earrings, pectoral, armlets, bracelets and anklets.
This bronze leogryph figure with human face is from early 20th century Burma and is a variation of the Buddhist temple guardian called manok-thi-ha or manushi, names derived from the Sanskrit words for man (manu) and lion (simha). Burmese manok-thi-ha often have double rear quarters (two bums—see our catalog item 63-37). This one is single-bummed and outfitted with heavy necklace, chest ornament and lots of swirls. The fantastic manok-thi-ha, a creature from Buddhist mythology, is said to roam M... Click for details
A bronze oil lamp that dates to the latter years of Burma’s British colonial period (1890-1941) is built around the figure of a smiling Burman holding out a small oil receptacle. The piece, nearly two feet in height, has a decidedly art deco look, in spite of the figure’s native dress. According to Sylvia Fraser-Lu in her book, “Burmese Crafts Past and Present,” British colonial administrators had little appreciation for indigenous Burmese art but they acknowledged the superior metalworking abil... Click for details
Details: A finely cast, handsome, and powerfully proportioned example of an Angkor period bronze seated Buddha in the late Bayon style. Buddha is seated in Maravijaya upon an attractive Khmerized double lotus throne, his hands in Bhumisparsha and Dyhana mudra respectively calling the earth to witness his many previous good and compassionate deeds. Buddha’s square face is meditative and serene, typically Bayon with his broad smiling expression. The large curls of his hair are separated from his f... Click for details
Details: A rare and attractive Khmer example of Vairocana the foremost of the five transcendent Dhyani Buddhas in the Mahayana pantheon. Vairocana is seated in the adamantine Vajraparyanka attitude and makes the wisdom fist Bodhyagrimudra upon a finely modelled double lotus pedestal, which rest atop a square socle unusually adorned with a small Vajra in relief. His face is classically Bayon in style, a warm expression with full fleshy lips conveying a sense of assured wisdom and serenity. His cl... Click for details
From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very fine 19th century Thai Rattanakosin bronze Buddha exhibiting the rarely seen Pang Ham Phra Kaen Chan mudra, also known as the "Stopping the Sandalwood Image" mudra. This Buddha is especially well-cast with sharp details. It has just the right balance of wear commensurate with age combined with a good amount of retained original gilding, ultimately giving the piece its undeniable air of age and authenticity.
... Click for details
A small bronze kyizi gong from a village in Burma is flanked by two coiled naga, sea dragons that are Buddhist icons of protection revered throughout Southeast Asia. Kyizi, (pronounced chi-z) are, as far as we know, unique to Burma, and cast in a variety of sizes, from smaller than this one to quite large, heavy pieces. Suspended on a rope, they are struck on the upturned ends so the gong swings in a circle and emits a vibrating tone, used to mark donations to the monastery or to alert local re... Click for details
