Buddha Statue - Antique Khmer Style SE Asia Seated Wood Teaching Buddha Statue - 20cm/8" Flagship ET2101

Antique Khmer Style Seated SE Asia Wood Teaching Buddha Statue - 20cm/8" Measures (Height) 20cm/8" An antique Khmer style wooden Buddha from Cambodia. The bodies profile is with broad shoulders and slender waist, covered by a Sanghati robe worn diagonally over the left shoulder, and is graced by a heavily pleated flap draped to the navel. The right shoulder is left bare. The Buddha features an oval shaped face, with almond shaped downcast eyes. Curved eyebrows meet above a prominent nose, and contoured lips with an exalted expression, appear smiling. The shell like curls of the hair form are surmounted by a lotus flower ushnisha, symbolising his high level of spiritual development. His earlobes are stretched long from a youth spent as a prince wearing heavy gold earrings. The carving is beautiful as you can see in the fine details of the face. Each detail is rendered perfectly. The distinctive patina of the piece is also particularly delightful. The Buddha is seated in the half lotus position with his right hand raised in front of his chest in the dharmachakra mudra. In sanskrit dharmachakra means the 'Wheel of Dharma'. This mudra symbolises one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath. It therefore denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching of the Dharma. In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method and wisdom. Seated in the half lotus position he has large lotus flower shaped ushnisha protuberance on top of his head symbolizing his high level of spiritual development. The Buddha has a peaceful countenance with downcast introspective eyes and a firm brow. His earlobes are stretched long from a youth spent as a prince wearing heavy gold earrings.