Sri Lankan Cast Bronze Seated Buddha, Kandyan Style, Early to Mid 19th Century

The Buddha sits upon a multi-tiered trapezoidal base with a central band of downward facing lotus petals. He sits in meditation, legs in virasana, the half lotus position, hands resting gently in his lap in dhyana mudra, the gesture of mediation. He wears diaphanous robes wrapped around his robust body, clinging to his idealized form, part of his chest and one arm exposed. The robes deeply incised with a stunning pattern of lines imitating fine and crisp pleats, typical of later Kandyan sculpture.

The Buddha’s face is exquisite, with heavily lidded almond shaped eyes under high arched brows, a strong nose, and plump, expressive lips. His round face is framed by a pair of large ears with long, pendulous lobes, and topped by a head of closely cropped curls. A large and prominent siraspata, a stylized flame signifying enlightenment, rises from the subtle ushnisha.