Indonesian Seated Figure of Buddha

One hand reaches down to touch the earth, and the rest of him stays still.

This seated figure of Buddha comes from Indonesia and dates to the 20th century. It is river stone. The lowered right hand is the gesture known as calling the earth to witness, which in Buddhist tradition marks the moment of enlightenment. He sits cross-legged on a double lotus base, the other hand resting open in his lap. A robe falls in deep, even folds from the left shoulder. Tight curls rise to a pointed topknot, and the dark surface has a rusty cast. Thirty-seven and a half inches high.

His expression is calm. Very little seems likely to change that.