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Subject:Help ID Buddhist statues
Posted By: Brian H. Mon, Feb 20, 2017 IP: 2600:8802:5100:c580:

Hello,
I am thinking about purchasing two statues and was wondering if anyone could help with the origin of them and also if they look to be modern reproductions or possibly older
Thank you very much,
Brian







Subject:Re: Help ID Buddhist statues
Posted By: Ben Tue, Feb 21, 2017

They look burmese to me, mandalay period, late 19th century IF authentic. I do not have the experience to judge this. Safer to consider them reproductions as there are many out there. Any pictures of the wood from underneath?

Best
Ben

Subject:Re: Help ID Buddhist statues
Posted By: Bill H Wed, Feb 22, 2017

Your photos show a Burmese style image of Sariputta (or Sariputra), one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha Sakyamuni, the other being Moggallana (or Maudgalyayana). Images of Sariputta, attentive with hands on his legs, usually are displayed to the Buddha's right, while Moggallana adores the Buddha from the left, with hands raised in a prayerful position. See the link for a relevant earlier thread.

Compared to Burmese images, mostly made by Shan artisans, which I was accustomed to seeing during three years in that country, the gilding on yours appears a bit unusual, almost as if it might have been applied using a can of commercial gold paint or applications of the kind of leaf that consists mainly of silvery alloy with an added thin golden veneer that tends to fade away to the silver stratum with time and weathering. I suppose it could be a sign that the image is a Thai reproduction from Chiangmai or perhaps a Burmese image used by someone who couldn't afford a purer quality of gold leaf. Then again, maybe its is just the lighting.

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :Moggallana and Sariputta


Subject:Re: Help ID Buddhist statues
Posted By: Brian H. Wed, Feb 22, 2017

Thank you for your replies!
I have not seen the statues in person but the seller wants $1200 a piece. Seems high for something that is readily faked but maybe if they are authentic then the price may be appropriate.


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