Enthroned Buddha
Cambodia (probably Phnom Penh)
Not on view
The Buddha calling upon the earth goddess to witness his resistance of temptations immediately prior to his enlightenment (bhumisparsa mudra); he touches the earth with his right hand, a gesture that makes reference to all of his past meritorious actions. He is enthroned on a high four-tiered throne with a seat cover cloth displayed on the front. Each of the terraces is edged with lotus leaves, the upper one most pronounced.
On the reverse is an undecorated cartouche containing a dedicatory donor inscription, dated equivalent to 1923 A.D. The Buddha ushnisa, denoting his enlightened state, is highlighted in gold foil as is the capping finial in the shape of a lotus bud. Both are stained red, as is the Khmer taste for gold. A solid silver stem support rises from the back, supported by three silver lugs, to display three openwork silver umbrellas with pendulous pipal leaves.
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