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Not currently on display at the V&A

Sculpture

after 7th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This low relief of the Buddha with a monk's begging bowl in one hand and the other hand in the earth-touching posture (bhumisparsamudra) has the unadorned simplicity associated with the Pyu style of central Burma (now Myanmar).

This image is related to a later series decorating the base of Yahandagu pagoda at Sri Ksetra, a monument which dates to the 10th century, immediately preceding the sacking of Hmawza (also known as Prome) by the forces of Pagan in the 11th century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stone
Brief description
Seated Buddha, Pyu style, 8th century or later, stone, Burma.
Physical description
This low relief of the Buddha with a monk's begging bowl (amrita) in one hand and the other hand in the earth-touching posture (bhumisparsamudra) has the unadorned simplicity associated with the Pyu style of central Burma. This image is related to a later series decorating the base of Yahandagu pagoda at Sri Ksetra. This monument dates from the 10th century, immediately preceding the sacking of Hmawza by the forces of Pagan in the 11th century. The stylistic debt of the arts of Pagan on the Pyu kingdom at old Prome was considerable.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.5cm
  • Width: 17.8cm
  • Depth: 7cm
  • Width: 17.8cm
  • Diameter: 7cm
Object history
Bought from Rev. F.J.Bacon
Historical context
Iconography forms part of a group of which one other is in the Prome Museum ( photographed in 1966 by J.C.Irwin and also published in Frederic's "The Art of South East Asia", fig. 10, pl.XLVIII, fig 10 and four others from Wetkhaung-Kan-Kon mound in Old Prome, photos of which, by U Lu Pe Win, Director of Archaeology under the British in Murma.
Production
Prome, Burma. Pyu style, probably from Sri Ksetra (Hmawza or Old Prome)
Subject depicted
Summary
This low relief of the Buddha with a monk's begging bowl in one hand and the other hand in the earth-touching posture (bhumisparsamudra) has the unadorned simplicity associated with the Pyu style of central Burma (now Myanmar).

This image is related to a later series decorating the base of Yahandagu pagoda at Sri Ksetra, a monument which dates to the 10th century, immediately preceding the sacking of Hmawza (also known as Prome) by the forces of Pagan in the 11th century.
Bibliographic reference
Iconographically forms part of a group of which one other is in the Prome Museum and photographed in 1966 by J.C. Irwin and published in Frederic's "The Art of South-east Asia" fig 10, p. 27 notes. A second is illustrated in A.S.I.A.R. 1909-1910, pl. XLVIII fig 10, and 4 others from Wetkhaung-Kan-Kon mound in Old Prome, photographs of which, by U la Pe Win, Director of Archeology under the British in Burma. A
Collection
Accession number
IS.14-1983

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Record createdAugust 21, 2003
Record URL
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