Antique Repoussé Earth Witnessing Buddha, Tibetan (0001LEM)

Description

This Repoussé image presents various symbols of the enlightenment of the Buddha Shakyamuni. He sits on a lotus base  (padmapitha) under the bodhi tree in bhumisparsha mudra (earth witnessing or hand touching position) symbolizing the moment of his enlightenment  legs bent in (padmasana). The detailed trefoil arch surrounding the Buddha’s head and body is a triple aureole  symbolizing the flames of Buddhism. The flames are associated with Shakyamuni at the moment of enlightenment, as the fire is a visible symbol of his attainment to supra-mundane consciousness, which literally means enlightenment. (Rowland). Repoussé is metalwork that requires considerable skill, entailing two processes: first the artisan punches from the back or inside to form relief designs on the outside, then detail and definition is done by engraving the front directly into metal. This piece is part of the VA Spiritual-and-Inspirational Collection of Buddhist-Art.

Sources:

Rowland, Benjamin. “The Iconography of the Flame Halo.” Bulletin of the Fogg Art Museum 11, no. 1 (1949): 10-16. jstor, Accessed September 24, 2020.