Bidspirit auction | BURMESE BAGAN BRONZE SEATED FIGURE

BURMESE BAGAN BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, KURKIHAR STYLE - Ca. 12th - 13th century AD. > A finely cast bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, seated in bhumisparsha mudra, the right hand extended to touch the earth, symbolizing the moment of Enlightenment. The figure is portrayed in vajraparyankasana (full lotus posture) upon a double lotus base, the face with a serene, introspective expression, framed by elongated earlobes and surmounted by a tiered crown. The body is adorned with a beaded necklace and subtle drapery, reflecting the influence of the Kurkihar style transmitted from northeastern India into Pagan-period Burma. The sculpture displays the elegant proportions and refined modelling characteristic of the Bagan period (12th–13th century), with gently rounded contours and a sense of spiritual calm. The Bagan dynasty marked a formative period in Burmese Buddhist art, during which Indian Pala influences were absorbed and transformed into a distinct regional aesthetic. Figures such as the present example embody both the devotional function and artistic sophistication of the period. > Provenance: Private London Collection; Ex. J.A.N. Fine Art, acquired in 1990s. > For similar see: Rubin Museum, object number C2002.29.1; Bonhams New York, 14 – 21 March 2025 Arts of India, Southeast Asia & The Himalayas Online, lot 924; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 1990.121a; Christie's, 27 MAR 2003 | Live auction 1212 lot 55. > Size: 90mm x 60mm; Weight: 160g > This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. >