Burma, 12^th-13^th century. Superbly cast standing on a circular double-lotus base with thick petals, the right arm angled with his hand lowered in vitarka mudra and his left holding the tip of his sanghati, the flaring robe falling in undulating folds above the feet. The oval face with a serene expression, sensitively modeled and neatly incised with downcast eyes, arched brows, pointed chin, and bow-shaped lips, flanked by pendulous earlobes, the hair arranged in tight curls over the high ushnisha surmounted by a large bud finial.

Provenance: De Blauwe Olifant, Maastricht. Onno Janssens Collection, Netherlands, acquired from the above at TEFAF Maastricht in 2008. De Blauwe Olifant (Galerij Blue Elephant) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Egidius and Ms. Mary Amkreutz, specializing in sculptures from Southeast Asia, Japan, and China, and participating in various fairs including Antiquaris in Barcelona, Sculpture Highlights in Maastricht, the Westdeutsche Kunstmesse in Cologne, and Feriarte in Madrid. Onno Janssens (b. 1941) is an Olympiad bridge player and prominent collector of Himalayan and Buddhist art. After studying Tibetology, he began in the 1990s to assemble an impressive collection including thangkas, mandalas, stupas, ritual implements, and sculptures in bronze, copper, and stone, which he acquired from auction houses and dealers of the highest order. A part of the collection was sold at Christie’s New York on 22 March 2011, in a legendary sale which at the time achieved a record total for Indian and Southeast Asian Art. A selection of 88 of Himalayan objects from the Onno Janssens Collection were offered, next to other famous collectors including James and Marilynn Asldorf and Isao Kurita. His collection reflects his eye for quality and rarity, but also his desire for uncovering that rare and coveted work that few others, if any have. In his own words 'to put it quite simply, I’ve always felt it important to buy what I like. Any time I consider acquiring a new work for my collection, I must hold it in my hands. Only then will I truly know if it inspires me.’

Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, casting flaws, tiny nicks, small losses, minor dents, encrustations, rubbing to gilt. The bronze with a fine, smooth, naturally grown patina with vibrant malachite encrustations.

Weight: 4.5 kg
Dimensions: Height 43.2 cm

Expert’s note:
A Pagan bronze of this size with the base still intact is exceedingly rare. Burmese sculptural art in the Pagan Empire was strongly influenced by the Pala style, particularly Kurkihar bronzes, reflecting the cultural exchange between the great monasteries of these regions. Compare, for example, the circular lotus base, long flaring robe, and elegant silhouetted frame of the Sonnery Kurkihar Buddha sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 3 October 2017, lot 16. Similar details, including the undulating folds of the robe, oval face, and sharp nose, are also exhibited by the great standing Buddhas of Shwezigon Pagoda completed during the reign (1084 to 1112/13) of King Kyansittha of the Pagan dynasty.

The Kingdom of Pagan was the first Burmese kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern-day Myanmar. Pagan's 250-year rule over the Irrawaddy valley and its periphery laid the foundation for the ascent of Burmese language and culture, the spread of Bamar ethnicity in Upper Myanmar, and the growth of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar and in mainland Southeast Asia. The Burmese language and culture gradually became dominant in the upper Irrawaddy valley, eclipsing the Pyu, Mon, and Pali norms by the late 12th century. Theravada Buddhism slowly began to spread to the village level although Tantric, Mahayana, Brahmanic, and animist practices remained heavily entrenched at all social strata. Pagan's rulers built over 10,000 Buddhist temples in the Bagan Archaeological Zone of which over 2,000 remain today. The wealthy donated tax-free land to religious authorities. The kingdom went into decline in the mid-13th century as the continuous growth of tax-free religious wealth by the 1280s had severely affected the crown's ability to retain the loyalty of courtiers and military servicemen. This ushered in a vicious circle of internal disorders and external challenges by the Arakanese, Mons, Mongols, and Shans. Repeated Mongol invasions between 1277 and 1301 toppled the four-century-old kingdom.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related Pagan bronze figure of a standing Buddha, 12^th century, in the Art Institute Chicago, reference number 2016.106.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 September 1998, lot 170
Price: USD 134,500 or approx. EUR 239,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large bronze figure of Buddha, Burma, Pagan period, 12th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar pose, flaring sanghati with undulating folds, high ushnisha with large bud finial, oval face, and rich green patina. Note the short circular plinth, silver-inlaid eyes, and slightly larger size (50.5 cm).