SRI LANKA, ANURADHAPURA PERIOD, 6TH/7TH CENTURY

Details

An Important Marble Figure of Buddha
Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura Period, 6th/7th Century
Sensitively carved seated in dhyanasana with his hands held in dhyana mudra, his hair smoothly rendered in the form of a cap
29½ in. (74.5 cm.) high

Literature

P. Pal, Light of Asia. Buddha Shakyamuni in Asian Art, 1984, cat. no. 89, p. 206f.
U. von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka, 1990, cat. no. 24A, p. 124.

Exhibited

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Light of Asia. Buddha Shakyamuni in Asian Art, 1984, cat. no. 89. Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, 1984. New York, The Brooklyn Museum, 1984/85.

Lot Essay

The present lot is one of very few complete examples in a private collection. Carved from coarse grained dolomite marble, sculptures of this type were originally coated with stucco and painted, allowing for additions such as curls on the hair.

More from INDIAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART

View All