{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O49194"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O49194/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8857/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8857/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AT8857","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O49194/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O49194","accessionNumber":"IM.39-1912","objectType":"Figure","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This standing Buddha, of carved, lacquered and gilded teak, wears the crown, jewellery and robes associated with royalty. Figures of the Buddha dressed this way are in sharp contrast to the simple garments of a monk. But Buddha figures of this sort were originally based on similar figures in eastern Indian art of the Pala period (AD 750-1150), and became very popular in the late 18th century, when this representation became associated with the story of the subduing of Jambhupati. This oral tradition describes how a powerful king named Jambhupati threatened to annex the dominion of King Bimbisara of Rajagaha. Bimbisara called on the Buddha for help, and in response the Buddha sent one of his followers to bring Jambusara before him. In order to impress Jambhupati with his power, he had a magnificent palace built and appeared sitting on a jewelled throne under a white umbrella. Jambhupati acknowledged the Buddha and became a monk.\r\n\r\nThe Buddha is depicted wearing the gold insignia of a Burmese King of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) with its mass of jewelled winged elements, high rising crown and  gold <i>salwe</i> (chain of office). The Buddha's right hand is raised in abhaya mudra (a gesture of protection and reassurance) and his left hand extended in varada (charity) mudra.","physicalDescription":"The Buddha is seen as King as the subduer of Jambhupati, in a matyattaw (standing attitude) with his right hand raised in abhaya mudra (a gesture of protection and reassurance) and his left hand extended in varada (charity) mudra.\r\n\r\nHe is dressed in the gold insignia of a Burmese King with its mass of jewelled winged elements, high rising crown and salwe (chains of office).\r\n\r\nCarved in teak, overlaid with black thitsi-lacquer (Melanorrhoea usitat) and gilt. Heavily decorated in the relief moulded thayo and glass (representing rubies and emeralds) inlay hman-zi shwei-cha technique.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"teak","id":"AAT12453"},{"text":"thitsi lacquer","id":"x33294"},{"text":"gold-leaf","id":"x33207"},{"text":"clay","id":"AAT10439"},{"text":"ash","id":"AAT164025"},{"text":"glass","id":"AAT10797"},{"text":"pigment","id":"AAT13109"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"},{"text":"colouring","id":"AAT133555"},{"text":"glass-working","id":"AAT53929"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Teak, carved, overlaid with lacquer, gilded and set with glass and semi-precious stones","categories":[{"text":"Lacquerware","id":"THES49004"},{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"}],"styles":[{"text":"Konbaung","id":"x30379"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AT8857"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"B","id":"THES396673"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"figure","id":"AAT189808"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Burma","id":"x30037"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"early 19th century","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased from Messrs S. M. Franck & Co., 25 Camomile Street, London, E.C","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"145","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"47","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"maximum","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"35.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Footprint=19.5 x 28 cm","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"From a pagoda at Pagan, Pegu or Moulmein in Lower Burma.\r\n\r\nHistorical significance: The costumes of the Konbaung kings shows an influence from the 18th century court dress of Ayuttya.\r\n\r\nPurchased from Messrs S. M. Franck & Co., 25 Camomile Street, London, E.C. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.\r\n\r\nRP 1912-2306M","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Burmese teak lacquered and gilded Buddha. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Depicted in royal robes which are set with pieces of mirror glass and semi-precious stones in the relief moulded thayo and glass inlay hman-zi shwei-cha technique. ca. early 19th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Burmese art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1974 Number: 0112901794 :","id":"AUTH339985"},"details":"pl. 16","free":"\r\n"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Arts of Asia; 1975\r\nJohn Lowry <font -u>Burmese Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum</font> \r\npp. 34 & 35"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Orientations; vol. 40. no. 4; May 2009; The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum.\r\nClarke, John: Buddhist Sculpture, p. 39."}],"production":"The sculpture was reportedly obtained from a pagoda in possibly Pagan, Pegu or Moulmein.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IM.39-1912"],"accessionNumberNum":"39","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1912,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LN7582","2019LU2627","2019LV2679"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-06-03","recordCreationDate":"2000-11-06","availableToBook":true}}