Buddha; India, 19th century. Carved stone. It presents damage caused by the passage of time.

Buddha; India, 19th century.
Carved stone.
Damage caused by the passage of time.
Measurements: 23 x 20 x 13 cm.
Buddha's head, identified by several lakshana or symbolic signs specific to the plastic representation of buddhas and bodhisattvas: a bun on the top of the head known as Vshnisha, symbolising meditation, concentrated spiritual life and wisdom; elongated earlobes, symbolising greatness, nobility and wisdom; eyelids folded, symbolising spiritual concentration and also purity, due to their resemblance to the petals of the lotus; a serene face, and a sketched smile, symbolising the balance and serenity of a perfect being. It is worth noting that behind the head a kind of stone halo can be seen, indicating that the piece was part of a larger sculptural ensemble, probably as ornamentation of an architectural space.
Siddhartha Gautama is a sacred religious figure for Buddhism and Hinduism, known above all for being one of the main figures responsible for the expansion of Buddhism outside India. Around 150 BC, the image of the Buddha as a human being emerged for the spread of this doctrine. From the beginning, they were characterised by their idealisation (without departing too far from realism) in proportions, attitudes and attributes, conveying a sense of perfection and serenity alluding to the divine. He was also presented with a series of attributes that set him apart from other men (lakshana): a chignon (usnisha) represents spiritual concentration and asceticism, a mark between the eyebrows ("urna", "the third eye", which is sometimes not depicted) is a reflection of his transcendent capacity, a nimbus of sanctity on his head, elongated earlobes (in memory of the jewels that adorned him as a young man), narrowed eyes, smile, etc. Although not appreciated in this work, posture is important in these sculptures because it conveys a message by referring to different passages in Buddha's life in combination with the hands.