Antique Buddhist Bronze Ritual Fan Blade, Thailand (3252)

Description

This rare Thai Buddhist spiritual item is a ritual blade  (talapat ) used for ceremonial  purposes. These bronze pieces are often placed on stands as offerings or used as ceremonial fans by monks or high-ranking individuals in Thai and Lao Buddhist traditions. They are displayed in temples or homes as a sacred decoration or a ritual object. The back of the fan has a soldered metal wire which would allow it to rest on a vertical shaft.

It is intricately designed, centered by the Buddha seated on a raised pedestal in the Earth Witnessing Mudra (Bhumisparsha), the posture he assumed when he achieved enlightenment and called the Earth to witness his spiritual attainment and defeat of the demon Mara. His right hand reaches over the right knee with fingers extended to touch the earth, while the left hand rests in the lap, palm upward, in the meditation mudra.  The Buddha here  emphases inner peace and spiritual enlightenment.

The fan is the heart shape of a Bodhi leaf, symbolizing the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment and spiritual awakening. The handles and area surrounding the Buddha are exquisitely designed and highlighted by the gilded finish.

It is in excellent condition with a fine patina. Based on its wear, it is from the Ratanakosian period, probably from the 18-19^th century.