Antique Buddha Sculptures

Chinese Buddha

Buddhism started as a Hindu influenced religion in India. Details about Buddha’s life and original teachings as presented in the first century BC Buddhist scriptures are important for understanding how Chinese Buddhism developed.

Chinese Buddhism (Han Chinese Buddhism) has played an extremely prominent and dynamic role in Buddhist history, particularly in East Asia. Over the course of approximately two thousand years, Buddhist ideas and practices have shaped Chinese culture in a wide variety of areas, including art, politics, literature, philosophy, medicine, and material culture.

-Wikipedia

Burmese Buddah

During the transitional period Burmese Buddha statues became more decorative with the addition of glass mosaics and thayo lacquer decoration, rarely, precious or semi precious stones were used. From the earliest times in Myanmar gold leaf was the most popular medium used for decorating not only Buddha statues but also temples and pagodas in Myanmar / Burma.

 Temple Buddha

The main characteristics of a Buddha temple are its unique shapes. The most well known shapes are the pagoda style in China and Japan. Another is the Stupa, a stone structure built on top of presumed relics of Buddha. Copies of Buddha’s teachings are also buried beneath some temples. If the temple isn’t designed in the shape of a pagoda, there will be a replica of one inside or in the courtyard. Historical temples are very ornate inside with gold and jade, while today’s temples are more modern.

The temples of Buddha are designed to symbolize the five elements: Fire, Air, Earth, (square base of temple), Water and Wisdom (pinnacle on top of temple).

Inside, the temple may have a worship hall, meditation hall, and gold warrior-type figures, which are said to be guardians of heaven. A statue of Buddha will be the main subject of interest. Psychedelic lighting highlights the characteristics of the Buddha figure usually sitting in a lotus position. Some Buddha statues were carved from solid pieces of white or emerald jade. The colors of green, orange, and yellow elaborately adorn the roof and walls inside.

Stop by our show room and check out all our antique Buddha sculptures.