South-Est Asian Art A large brightly painted alabaster Buddha figureBurma, early 19th century . . Cm 34,00 x 59,00. White marble sculpture depicting Shakyamuni Buddha seated in padmasana on a single lotus flower base. His right hand is in bhumisparsamudra, the gesture with which he calls the Earth to witness his enlightenment, while the left is lying on his lap. The figure is dressed in a sober monastic robe painted in brown, while the black pigmented hair contrasts with the serene facial features made florid by the addition of polychromy.Figures of the Buddha in polychrome marble can be found in Burma from the Ava period to which this sculpture refers, but showing more slender and sober forms.