A hand-painted Buddha statue in resin. The robe is a deep red, while the face, hair, right shoulder and hands are finished in antique gold. It is 33 cm tall, 24 cm wide and 14 cm deep, and weighs about 1 kg. Made in Indonesia.
Thumb and forefinger in a circle
His right hand is raised to chest height, with the thumb and index finger forming a circle and the other fingers pointing up. The left hand rests in his lap. This is the gesture of teaching. His eyes are lowered and the face is calm.
In Buddhist tradition, the Buddha taught for forty-five years after his enlightenment. He gave his first talk to five former companions in the deer park at Sarnath, near today's Varanasi.
Red robe, antique gold
Glossy red paint covers the robe, with darker shading in the folds. The gold is brownish in the hollows and lighter on the raised parts, which makes the statue look older. Because it is painted by hand, each piece differs slightly.
If your room is white, grey or beige, the red adds a warm touch of colour. On a chest of drawers or on top of a bookcase in the living room, you can see it even from the sofa. The raised hand shows best from the side, so if you can, set the statue at a slight angle.
Incense beside the statue
Many people place an incense holder in front of a Buddha statue. If you do, leave at least a hand's width between them so that embers and ash do not reach the paint. Dust it with a soft, dry brush, and keep it indoors, away from rain and frost.