Country Group: South and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam)

Item id: 10346

A unique and unusually large Burmese Buddha, distinguished by facial features and a hairstyle that resemble portrait sculpture, possibly even of a specific individual—potentially a Westerner, something virtually unheard of in Buddhist imagery. The figure also wears highly distinctive robes that read almost as a Western-style tunic, adding to the mystery of its origin. The whimsical “horn” finial further sets it apart from standard Burmese forms.



Based on style and surface characteristics, the piece appears to be 18th Century, possibly earlier. In decades of studying and handling Burmese sculpture—and having seen hundreds of thousands of examples—I have never encountered another remotely like this. Standing a substantial 19 inches tall, it has exceptional presence. It is conceivable that this figure was specially commissioned, perhaps during an early colonial or diplomatic period, for a high-ranking Western official or patron. Whatever its exact story, it remains a singular and remarkable Buddha, unmatched in character and rarity.