(DONATION/AUCTION) Meditating Soapstone Cambodian Buddha Statue 9" Item #1cm9
Materials: Soapstone, Steatite
Origin: Hand Carved in Cambodia
Height: 9 inches, 22.86 cm
Width: 7 inches, 17.78 cm
Depth: 3 inches, 7.62 cm
Weight: 6 pounds
Description
This Buddha has a distinct Cambodian
style. Lord Buddha is seated in dhyana asana, the meditative pose
also called padmasana. His hands are in dhyana mudra which is the
mudra of meditation. It is also called samadhi or yoga mudra. He is
seated on a throne with a double lotus base. Lord Buddha is depicted
with heavy eyelids that evoke a mood of introspection and detachment,
enhanced by the hint of a smile on the full lips. The distended
earlobes, a legacy of Prince Siddhartha's discarding his heavy gold
jewelry further indicates the Buddha's enlightened status. A simple
yet elegant carving. It is unpolished and thus has a matte
finish.
Soapstone also known as "steatite" or
"soaprock" is a stone which is notable for its high degree
of resistance to heat. In Cambodia, soapstone, which mostly comes
from the province of Pursat (in the western part of the country) has
been used to carve religious effigies since the 17th century. Any
variation in the color of the stone is inherent to the very nature of
the material, its array varies from yellow-green to gray and deep
purple.
This sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand carved
by the very talented artists of Cambodia. Every piece is truly
unique!