An marble figure of the reclining Buddha

Circa 1850 A.D., Mandalay period

Marble with coloured glass chips, traces of red and black pigments, gilding

L65xD14cm

Provenance: private Dutch collection, acquired at Ashwood Gallery Bangkok in 2003

This medium-sized reclining Buddha comes from Mandalay, Northern Burma. It shows the Buddha lying on his right side, backed by a pillow, with his hand supporting his head. His clothes are gracefully draped around the body.  The form of this depiction of the Buddha is particularly youthful, somewhat languid, and almost feminine. The face is delicate and well modelled, the facial features- the open eyes, the high eyebrows and the full lips-are characteristic for this serene, dreamily contemplative Buddha. Not to confuse with the other type of Buddha, dying and entering in Parinirvana, with his eyes closed and the head resting on a pillow. 

A wide plain band borders the forehead. The head is covered with tight snail-shell curls, rising into a full ushnisha that culminates in a rounded dome. The ears are long, curve slightly and touch the shoulders.  

Buddha images sculpted from a single piece of marble were carved in the region of Mandalay. Marble was used in religious sculpture in the area since the 17^th century.

References:

Lowry J., Burmese art, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1974 

See a related example in the British Museum.