Raised Palm in Flames

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This seated Buddha in polychrome is framed by a great flaming aureole. His snail-curl hair is deep blue-black with a red jewel at the topknot, a white urna between the brows, and a swastika at his chest. His right hand is raised at his breast, palm outward, while the left cradles a small golden treasure in his lap. The orange upper robe is sprinkled with fine floral patterning; the dark lower robe is covered in painted roundels of flowers and foliage. Behind him a gold-rimmed circular halo opens into a vast pointed aureole of red and orange flame-scrolls, its edges studded with cloud-heads in teal, yellow and orange. The lotus throne is built in layers — pink hanging petals, a gold-green lotus heart and a ring of red-gold petals. Bright and solemn at once, he is made for the principal seat of a shrine, lighting the whole altar.