W270xD180xH600mm, China
This is an old lacquer figurine of the Gautama Buddha. He is sitting on a lotus blossom which symbolizes purity of the mind and body. Though the lotus is rooted from the mud, its leaves naturally repel dirt and water, its blossom raises well above the muddy pool. Under the lotus blossom sits a lion; lions are symbolic of bodhisattvas, being that have attained enlightenment.
The hand gesture of the Buddha indicating the banishing of evils (karana) and the gesture of leisure (avakasha).
At the back of the figurine is a secret compartment for storing scripts.
Mountain Folkcraft 