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

Item id: 784

Price reduction: Unique- a powerful and haunting character- this is a thickly provincially cast bronze ascetic Buddha plaque set in a custom stand. I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It came from a large collection of early Burmese Buddhist items collected over 3 generations which I purchased many years ago. I’ve tried to learn more about it, but have been unable to find any comparable pieces or reference material. It is roughly 5.5 inches tall by 3 inches wide by 1.75 inches deep at the crown of the head. The casting has original flaws as seen in the photos, but no damage or losses. It is remarkably heavy for its size at 22.4 ounces. When held, feels like you are holding a substantial ancient thing in your hand. Set in the stand it stands close to 10 inches tall. The original owner indicated that it had been in his family since the 1960’s, and that it had been excavated in Burma. He seemed confident that it was late Pagan- he was as expert on these unusual early Burmese pieces as anyone I’ve met, but I still consider it a mystery. It truly seems to have age which would be consistent with this.