Crafted protective statuettes (3) - Ornate metal - Buddha taking the earth as witness - Thailand - 1950-1980

Crafted protective statuettes. Buddhas taking the earth as witness. Discoveries in a monastery in northern Thailand. In ornate metal. Thai talismans are charms considered magical. They are mostly blessed and activated in the Temple or monastery of their creator. Taking of the Earth as Witness: Just before his Awakening, Śākyamuni, seated under the bodhi tree, was attacked by Māra. Fearing to lose his ascendancy over beings dominated by passions, he first sends his armies, whose arrows turn into flowers as soon as the future Buddha looks at them! Annoyed, Māra then proudly declares that he owes his distinguished position to the many merits he has accumulated during his previous lives and denies the future Buddha to have as many as he . . . The master then touches the earth to prove his unwavering determination to stay there and to call the earth goddess Sthāvarā as a witness. This appears, pays homage to him and, twisting his hair, extracts all the water accumulated over the cosmic ages, each time a libation has been made during a gift from the bodhisattva. This water was so abundant that it carried the armies of Māra. Condition: good. Traces of use and oxidation. Total weight: 173. 98g. Measures : - 69. 7*20. 6*40. 6mm (for the largest) . - 45. 9*15. 5*28. 5mm. - 39. 4*17. 6*16. 4mm. Photos taken with artificial lighting. Registered shipping with insurance and tracking number.