An alabaster figure of a reclining Buddha

Burma

Circa 1850 A.D., Mandalay period

Alabaster with coloured glass chips, traces of red lacquer and gilding

L65xD14cm

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

This medium large, reclining Buddha is from Mandalay, northern Burma (Myanmar). Carved lying on his right side in parinirvana, backed by a pillow, with his hand supporting his head. His clothes are gracefully draped around his 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. 

A wide plain band borders the forehead. Small curls cover a full usnisha that terminates in a dome. The ears are long, curve slightly and touch the shoulders.  

The reclining posture is a major iconographic theme in Buddhist art. It represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana.