Japanese Carved Gilt Wood Buddha

Behind the figure, the halo erupts in flames of curling gold.

This carved gilt wood Buddha comes from Japan and dates to the Meiji Period (1868 – 1912 CE). It is lacquered and gilded wood. Japanese Buddhist images were usually carved in wood and then lacquered and gilt, so that they glowed in low light. The crowned figure sits in meditation on a lotus, one hand raised, with blue hair beneath a pointed crown and fine metal ornaments at the chest. Behind it rises a tall pointed mandorla filled with raised swirls. The lotus rests on a stepped hexagonal stand of carved tiers. It is 14 inches high.

Calm at the center, with plenty of commotion around the edges.