Burmese Mandalay-Style Standing Buddha — Gilt & Glass-Mirror Mosaic Inlay

Burmese Mandalay-style standing Buddha, varada mudra, hman-zi shwe-cha glass-and-mirror inlay, on a lotus base over a black box pedestal. 

In plain terms: a graceful standing Buddha in the classic Mandalay style of Burma (Myanmar), the right hand lowered in the gesture of giving and compassion (varada mudra), the robe densely decorated with colored-glass and mirrored-glass mosaic set into gilt lacquer relief. The feet rest on a small carved gilt lotus base, mounted on a larger black wood box pedestal for display.


A striking, richly decorated piece with real presence. The Buddha stands with a serene, youthful, subtly smiling face — the idealized Mandalay expression — beneath a tiered headdress rising to the ushnisha (cranial crown). The robe seems to cling to the body before cascading into elegant, deeply carved folds, flaring dramatically at the hem to convey a sense of gentle movement. Its entire surface is worked in dense mosaic: hundreds of hand-set glass and mirror tesserae in blue, green, amber, red and clear, catching and scattering light from every angle, set among raised gilt scrollwork, beaded borders, and floral medallions. Displayed, it is genuinely commanding — a statement piece equally at home in a collection, a meditation space, or a richly styled interior.


Materials & construction (as observed):


Iconography: The standing posture with the right hand lowered, palm outward, represents varada mudra — the gesture of charity, compassion, and the granting of wishes. The lotus base symbolizes purity and spiritual awakening rising above the material world. The serene, idealized face and elaborately folded, jewel-encrusted robe are hallmarks of the Mandalay style, associated with the last royal capital of Burma and its refined court aesthetic.


A note on age: This piece was represented to me as antique at the time of purchase; however, I am not an expert and cannot personally verify its exact age or period.The materials and construction described above reflect traditional Burmese methods; I'm describing everything honestly from the item itself and the photos, and invite buyers to review all images and draw their own conclusions.


Measurements:


Condition: Offered in honest estate condition and, to my eye, well preserved for a piece of this type. Please note damage to the hand: on the extended right hand, there is old loss/breakage to the fingers (see close-up photo) — the tips are broken off. This is disclosed up front and shown clearly in the photos. Aside from that, the figure is structurally sound with no other breaks. Consistent with age and traditional construction, there is wear to the gilt on the high points (with the red lacquer ground showing through), fine craquelure in the gilt surface, an old open seam at the two-piece lotus base, some minor scattered loss to the glass/mirror mosaic (a few individual tiles missing from their settings), and some cloudiness to a few of the mirror pieces. The face, glass eyes, feet, and body are intact. The black pedestal (a display mount) shows minor wear. 

That said — none of these age-related imperfections take away from the beauty and grandeur of this piece. It remains a striking, richly decorated standing Buddha with tremendous presence, and the natural wear only adds to its character and sense of history. Displayed, it is genuinely impressive.

Please review all pictures carefully, and feel free to reach out for more photos, measurements, or any questions before buying. I've made a good-faith effort to describe this piece as honestly and completely as I can, to the best of my ability.  Please examine the photos closely and ask any questions before purchasing, since returns are not accepted.  The photos are part of the description.  FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES!  Thank you for your interest!