Lacquer wood polychrome painted Seated Buddha in meditation pose - Consignment Item CO673

Lacquer wood polychrome painted

Seated Buddha in meditation pose with red, black, lacquer traces

Nguyen Dynasty 19^th century, Vietnam

Dimensions : Ht 60 x W 40 x D 36cm

A highly decorative 19^th century Vietnamese carved wooden and polychrome painted Buddha with traces of original gilding.

This carved wood polychrome Buddha is seated in a meditation pose with a reserve swastika carved on his chest. The swastika has been an important symbol for Hindus and Buddhists in some Asian countries for thousands of years and can be depicted in both the negative and positive position.

The word “swastika” is a Sanskrit (ancient Indian language in which Hindu scriptures and Indian poems are written) word meaning : “well being”, “good existence”, “good luck”. In Buddhism the swastika is the symbol of good fortune, abundance and eternity and is said to promote goodwill, compassion and generosity to all living beings and is often carved on the heart or feet of a Buddha.

This Buddha is in good, original condition, is of stable construction.