This lavish enthroned Buddha evokes the elaborate temple interiors of 19th-century Burma.
Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne
Approx. 1860–1880
Myanmar (Burma); Mandalay area
Wood and iron, with lacquer, gilding, and mirrored glass
Gift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Southeast Asian Art Collection, 2006.27.17 and 2006.27.1.a-.t
This elaborate lacquered and gilded throne houses a crowned image of the Buddha. A throne such as this one would have been an important feature of 19th-century temples in Burma, now known as Myanmar, where Buddhists would venerate the image as a reminder of the Buddha’s sacred essence and his teachings. Although the young prince who became the Buddha renounced his royal status, the throne, crown, and other kingly adornments convey the supremacy of his message.
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