Reclining Buddha

MYANMAR

This statue reclines in a style seen often in Southeast Asian reclining Buddhas. This pose differs slightly from the parinirvana pose; here the right arm is bent to support the Buddha’s head, whereas in the parinirvana pose, the Buddha’s head is resting upon a pillow with the right hand brought up to the face.
The curls on the Buddha’s head and usnisa are small and there is a decorated band framing the brow line. The earlobes are so long that the lower one is bent back against the shoulder. The upper robe leaves the right shoulder bare and appears to fall behind the body and then fold back over the outstretched legs. Various materials were used to decorate the statue. The monastic robe is a dark alloy with glass beads inlaid along the rim, while the gilded skin is a shade lighter. The elongated eyes are also inlaid.