Antique South East Asian Ivory Carving
Meditating Buddha
Turning Dharma Wheel
Signature: unsigned, early 1900S'
H 6 in.(15cm), W 3.25 in.(8cm), D 1.1 in.(2.6cm)
Condition: excellent!

A fine ivory carving of Buddha in Dharmachakra mudra, the gesture of setting the Wheel of the Law in motion, depicting Buddha’s first sermon after his illumination. Carved from ivory marked with wavy lines and striations, gold in color, with an allover patina of age. Buddha is seated in full lotus posture, simply clothed, with downcast eyes that are open to inner light, before an ornamented aureole around which flutter two devas, symbolizing the perfection of effort. At the base of the aureole are two elephants, indicating perfection of concentration and two lions symbolizing perfection of wisdom. Below the platform on which the Buddha is seated are five prayerful figures. Two deer represent the deer of Sarnath, who are seen on either side of a chakra as one of the main emblems of Buddhist teaching. The gentleness and grace of deer represent the qualities of the true renunciate, as does its lifestyle as a homeless wanderer never resting in the same place twice. Carved on the back with a pattern resembling the trunk of a palm, a paradisiacal tree.

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