Khmer Rosewood Speckled Buddha Statue 35" Item #5hs33

This beautiful Khmer rosewood speckled Buddha statue was recently hand carved from an antique piece of wood. Lord Buddha has a wonderful serene expression and a faint smile. He is depicted in the bhumisparsha mudra also known as the earth-touching gesture. This gesture is performed by extending the right hand downwards to touch the ground with the fingertips. It symbolizes the precise moment when the awakening Buddha, Shakyamuni, vanquished the army of Mara beneath the bodhi tree and summoned the goddess of the earth, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless acts of sacrifice. Shakyamuni Buddha is commonly represented upon his enlightenment throne with his right hand touching the earth, and his left hand resting upon his lap in the gesture of meditation. This symbolizes the union of his method or skillful means in overcoming Mara (right hand), through the perfect wisdom of his deep meditation upon emptiness (left hand).

The ushnisha, protuberance above his head also referred to as a topknot, symbolizes His wisdom and openness as an enlightened being. He has elongated earlobes, a vestige of his life as a prince, when he wore extravagant jewelry.

The art of wood sculpture goes back to the glorious epoch of the Khmer empire and the monumental constructions that gave rise to the Angkor temples. Our artisans have inherited patience and meticulousness from their ancestors in the trade. They have learned to capture the movements used in olden times and master the traditional tools in order adapt to their personal line of work.

This wood sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand carved by the very talented artists of the beautiful country of Cambodia!