Seated Buddha in " Calling the Earth to Witness" (Maravijaya) Mudra
Artist/Culture
Thai
Datelate 1400s–early 1500s
Mediumbronze
Dimensions79 x 57 x 24 cm (31 1/8 x 22 7/16 x 9 7/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineIn memory of Cameron Horner Smyser
Object number1998.190
DescriptionBuddha sitting in the position of Maravijaya—touching the ground with his right hand, marking his enlightenment. The figure wears a monk’s robe, one edge of which runs from the mantle’s end and under the figure’s right arm; another edge runs across the left wrist. A flame radiance—an accumulation of the magical light that emanates from the Buddha—crowns his head. Linear tension of the curves of its body, facial features, and fingers (ideals of the Sukhothai style). Rounder volumes and heavier proportions suggest it was not made in the then-capital of Sukhothai in north central Thailand, but by a sculptor working in that style in a provincial area. It is hollow and cast in one piece. Label TextThe Buddha here sits in the position of Maravijaya, which symbolizes the moment right before his enlightenment. This frequently depicted event shows the Buddha touching the ground with his right hand to call the earth to witness his defeat of the evil demon and seducer Mara. The figure wears a thin monk’s robe and his head is crowned by a flame radiance—an accumulation of the magical light that emanates from the Buddha. The flame-like radiance is a visual characteristic of Buddhas produced in the then-capital of Sukhothai and in nearly all later representations of Buddha in Thailand.ProvenanceW. Richard Smyser
On View
On view
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡 芳年
July 1883
