Jambupati seated Buddha. Burma, late 18th century.

Jambupati seated Buddha. Burma, late 18th century.
Carved wood. Dry lacquered.
Decorated with rhinestones.
Shows wear due to age.
Measurements: 130 x 73 x 44 cm.

Seated image of Buddha, from Burma. It represents Buddha as Jambupati, cosmic king in all his splendor. He appears performing the mudra of taking the earth as a witness and adopts the posture of the lotus flower. That is to say, he adopts the attitude of meditation and spiritual purity that can also be appreciated in the symmetry of his physiognomic features and the serenity that emanates from his whole person.

Jambupati iconography developed in the 18th century in Burma due to Thai influence. The figures show a very ornamented clothing that show magnificience by the pieces of ornamentation that as a crest ornament the figure, from the knees to the crown. This is reflected in this magnificent figure. These ornaments consist of royal insignia such as crowns, lateral bands or wings on both sides of the head and ornamental attire often made of metal. Other ornamental motifs characteristic of this model are pectorals with central medallion, bracelets and earrings made with inlays of different materials such as semiprecious stones, polychrome glass, mirrors and various metals.

In accordance with accepted Buddhist practice (Theravada canon), images of Gautama Buddha appear dressed in unadorned monk's robes, with hair in unisha and devoid of jewelry. The continuity of this visual convention is emblematic of his renunciation of all desire and is a reminder of his having sacrificed his material wealth as crown prince. In stark contrast to this grand tradition is a cult trend in Southeast Asia that depicts the Buddha in lavish royal attire and is known as Jambupati. One possible explanation for this form of Buddhist worship derives from a story about the Buddha's meeting with King Jambupati. The haughty king Jambupati lived during the Buddha's time and with his boundless power he terrorized the world. Buddha asked Jambupati to abandon evil and practice goodness but the king was not moved. Then Buddha magically appeared in resplendent royal robes and so impressed Jambupati that he adopted the Buddhist precepts by submitting to the Dharma and becoming a monk.