An unusual Burmese bronze figure of a seated Boddhisatva Shan states, 19th century or earlierThe figure with a tall crown of elongated leaf-form panels, centered by a tall spire, a pair of elaborate pierced and scrolled wing-like streamers from either side above the ears, the eyes lowered to gaze upon the open hands with elegantly tapered fingers, wearing elaborate necklaces and scrolled bracelets, the tendrils of hair gatherered above the shoulders; seated on a slightly domed oval base incised with vertical lines, encircled by a band of circular motifs above a double row of pendant lotus petals and further incised lines, the metal with a rich brown patina and remnants of red lacquer and gilding. H: 30 1/2, L: 23, D: 13 in.PROVENANCE:Acquired from Silk Roads Gallery, Los Angeles, California, February 7, 2000 NOTE: The distinctive crown with lobed central spire, tall leaf-form coronet, and elaborate pierced flanged banners flanking the face, together with the elaborate necklace and bracelets, relate closely to other examples of "Jambupati" Buddhas (Buddha in Royal Attire) of the Shan states, dating from the 17th to 19th century. See Otto Karow, Burmese Buddhist Sculpture, The Johan Moger Collection, Bankok, 2003, pp. 52-53, no. 45, p. 63, no. 51, and p. 71, no. 57 for related examples of seated Buddhas. The present example is much more unusual in terms of pose depicted. According to the present owner, this figure has been identified as "Kha-Sa-Pha", the third Incarnation of the Buddha in our Kalpa. According to Shan interpretation, Kha-Sa Pah questions whether he should become a Buddha or not. He does this by having water he scoops up flow from his hands and into the water on which he floats, thinking if I am to become Buddha the water from my hands will become food for fish." See More