Burmese Seated Buddha on Elephant Base with Bhumisparsa Mudra

Three gilded elephants bear the throne. His fingers reach down, unhurried.

This seated Buddha on an elephant base comes from Burma and dates to the early 20th century, made of gilded paper mache and wood. In Burma, as across Buddhist Southeast Asia, commissioning an image was considered a way of earning merit. The bhumisparsa mudra, fingers touching the earth, recalls the Buddha calling the earth to witness his enlightenment. Incised patterns swirl across the gold robes. Dark curls climb to a tall pointed finial, and the elephants stand on a black base. It stands 25 inches high.

Stillness, carried by elephants.