The beautiful cast bronze hand fragment with traces of gilding, elegantly positioned in the Vitarka Mudra, a gesture symbolising the transmission of Buddhist teachings, the fingers gracefully curved, with the thumb and index finger forming a circle, while the remaining fingers extend outward and the whole surviving from the eighteenth century.
Unknown.
The Buddha lived in northeast India around 2,500 years ago. He gave up worldly comforts, and found spiritual enlightenment through a simple lifestyle and meditation. Although Buddhism originated in India, it spread to other parts of Asia, and reached Indonesia in the early centuries AD. Vitarka mudra, also known as the “mudra of discussion” or “explanation,” is a hand gesture in Buddhism and yoga symbolising the transmission of wisdom and knowledge. It’s formed by joining the tips of the thumb and index finger to form a circle while extending the other three fingers. This mudra is commonly depicted in Buddha statues, especially in those of the Dvaravati age in Thailand.
A relic with plenty of decorative appeal but also one that carries weighty spiritual significance.
The hand has a superb patination with beautiful verdegris and gilt wear commensurate with age. There are no losses.
By appointment only.
