Bogd Khan Palace: Shrine with Sakyamuni Buddha

MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar

Made in the 19th century, this shrine was placed on an altar in the Bogd Khan Palace.
A gold Sakyamuni Buddha statue is enshrined in the niche, which has an ogee curve design. He has a curled blue usnisa and facial features that are delicate, dignified, and serene. The Buddha is dressed in a robe which covers the left shoulder, with delicate patterns at the edge. Seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne, his right hand performs the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra, and his left hand supports an alms bowl in his lap. The niche is bordered by three bands of glass beads arranged in three stimulating colors. In front of the statue, there is a row of lotus buds, and outside the frame are lotus patterns formed with glass beads.
The statue was created according to the Zanabazar school of sculpture. The ornamentation is a typical Mongolian art form using glass beads in imitation of turquoise and coral.