The enlightened collectors' guide to Buddha statues

Recently I was browsing a large local antiques fair when a collection of older Buddha statues caught my eye.

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“This one is from the Gandhāra period,” said the dealer, reffering to the Buddhist culture of ancient Gandhāra – a hotspot of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent from the 3rd century BC to approximately AD. I am going to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant to say in the ‘Gandhara’ style, as if the statue really was from that period, I suspect it would be worth a lot more than the £80 or so he was asking for it. “It was ripped out of a temple,” he added in passing.

This got me thinking. Buddha statues are very attractive and collectible, so how do you avoid getting ripped off in the event that you do meet an unscrupulous dealer? And what are the rules regarding export from old sacred sites?

The first big tip is to have at least a working knowledge of the various periods in Buddhist art. Although the historical Buddha lived and taught around the border of modern day Nepal and India, many of the great works of Buddhist art come from much further afield – for example China, Japan, the historical region of Tibet and South East Asia.

One of the greatest earliest exponents of Buddhism in India, the Emperor Ashoka, encouraged missionaries to travel to Central Asia, where it spread rapidly along the Silk Road and other trade routes into China, and eventually into Korea and Japan. Indeed, early Chinese translations of Buddhist texts were key to ensuring their survival into the present day. Missionaries and trading also spread the Buddhist teaching, or ‘dharma,’ into Southeast Asia.

This is a massive subject and way beyond the scope of this blog, but there are some great online resources and books which can quickly get you up to speed. One of my favourite books is Buddhist Art and Architecture by Robert E Fisher – you can pick up used copies for around £5 or new for £15 and it’s a great primer. Meanwhile Himalayan Art Resources also comes in useful when it comes to ascertaining the value and provenance of Buddha statues from that part of the world (along with paintings and tapestries).

What about more practical tips to avoid getting sold a fake? In an interesting blog on the Christie’s website, Asian art specialist Tristan Bruck has some useful tips.

He strongly recommends trying to handle the actual statue, rather than relying on photos, and although this might be a bit trickier at antiques fairs owing to Covid-19, most dealers will allow you to pick the item up so long as they can then sanitise it. Handling it will also reveal things that don’t look right. As Bruck notes, forgers often work from a front-on photograph of the genuine article, which means they have to figure it out as they go along when it comes to the decoration around the back and on the base. Maybe the folds of a robe fold strangely, or jewellery sits in an awkward way. Or maybe the back and base just look a bit rough and unfinished. Drapery generally is hard for a forger to pull-off properly, along with the Buddha’s hands – so if anything looks a bit crude, that is a warning sign (or at very the least that the statue is poorly made and potentially overpriced).

As with any antique, condition is also really important, and a statue with a well-documented provenance will always be worth more than one with no documentation at all. So what about my potential dealers off-hand claim that the statue he was selling had been “ripped off a temple?” Is that ethical? Various conventions and legal procedures exist to combat the trade of illicit antiquities. As well as abiding by the rules of such conventions, dealers should also take care. Buying antiquities from a reputable source, such as a dealer who is a member of an antiquity trade association, is necessary and will provide security and trust. See here for a useful overview of the various international agreements.

Of course, much of the above will apply mainly to higher-priced Buddhist statues. Many readers will be happy paying under £100 or so if the statue is attractive and will look good around the house, without worrying too much about provenance. And while it is important to avoid supporting any trade in artefacts which have been ripped from their original venues, you can’t always be sure of the full story – particularly as older buildings are often not so well protected in the developing world as they are in the west. Do let us know if you have found any interesting old Buddhist statues during your antique hunts.

The Statues of Buddha in our shop

Univers-Buddha is the perfect choice for anyone looking for various Buddha statues and other Buddhist artifacts. Our French Buddha Shop houses the largest collection of rare and antique Buddha statues from various countries in the Southeast Asia region. Offering a variety of original and ancient Buddhist art suitable for an antique collector in you or your loved ones, the large collection in our Buddha Shop is the result of our frequent visits to the regions mentioned above. These frequent visits have allowed us to establish wonderful relationships with many Buddhist art dealers and have enabled us to deal personally with various Buddhist temples and monasteries and personal collectors keen to part with their priceless Buddhist art.

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Likewise, you do not have to worry about the authenticity and legality of any Buddha statues you purchase from us, as we have no policy on dealing with stolen items. We do not encourage the theft of these artifacts, as the theft of these statues undermines and dishonours the history of these artifacts. Therefore, the statues you buy from us are completely genuine and are bought in a legal manner. If you want a Buddha statue or any other type of Buddhist art like laughing Buddha statues, miniature Buddhist temple, shrines, lacquerware, Buddhist manuscripts and other artifacts, visit our Buddha store in line where you can choose Buddha statues or Buddhist artifacts from a wide variety of Buddhist arts to buy. Some of our Buddha statues are made in Tibet by Tibetans. In spirituality, the Buddha statues of the pagodas or those that one can have at home have Zen faculties and help to meditate and pray.

Why buy a Buddha statue?

Buddhism, one of the greatest religions in the world, is based on the principles and teachings of the Buddha. A prince turned spiritual leader, he helped spread the truth about life and taught people how to gain eternal happiness and peace. Although the Buddha did not claim to be a god, he was revered and is still revered by many people as a deity. Therefore, even though idol worship is not the true face of Buddhism, people take Buddha statues as a symbol of the Buddha himself.

Historically speaking, there is almost no evidence of the physical appearance and characteristics of the Buddha, as Buddhist iconography only began after almost two centuries of Buddha nirvana. But the statues and images of the Buddha are based on spiritual texts describing his appearance and how the characteristics of his body explain the spiritual guidance of the disciples. Perhaps this is the reason why followers of Buddhism revere the statue of Buddha, which does not mean that they regard him as a god but as a leader who can lead them on the path of enlightenment. We can therefore say that the statues of Buddha are taken more as an object of cult inspiration than as a mystical religious monument.

The statues of Buddha are a symbol of peace, harmony, self-realization and inner happiness. These artifacts are not only important from a religious point of view unlike the Orthodox, Christianity and Hinduism religions, but are also an important spiritual guide. From the structure of the face, the poses, the position of the limbs to the head, ears, eyes and nose, each of them has its own hidden meaning from a spiritual point of view. The style of each statue can vary, which gives different meanings to the Buddha statues. In addition, statuettes of Buddhas are a great source of inspiration for meditation enthusiasts, as Buddha himself achieved enlightenment by practicing meditation. Buddha statues provide a feeling of serenity, divinities and peace.

How to choose your buddha statue?

Finally, a short guide on the meaning of the different Buddhas:

Buddha of meditation: The Buddha is seated in the lotus position with both hands on his knees, the face up and eyes closed.

Buddha of protection: The Buddha can be seated or standing with a raised right hand.

Buddha happy: Usually depicted sitting and smiling with a rounded stomach and a bald head. Some say you can rub the belly of the Buddha for good luck.

Reclining Buddha (or Nirvana): It is believed to represent the dying Buddha, lying on his right side, waiting to enter Nirvana.

Buddha in contact with the earth: Seen in most Thai temples, this Buddha is seated with his left hand on his knees and the right hand pointing towards the ground.

The other forms of Buddha are the Buddha of walking, the Buddha of teaching and the Buddha of medicine.

How to place your buddha statue in your house?

Placing Buddha statues around your home can bring peace, positive energy, good health, and prosperity. The Happy Buddha - Shakyamuni Buddha - is probably the most popular statue and brings good luck and abundance.

However, there are a few dos and don'ts when it comes to choosing a place for your Buddha.

• The area where you place your Buddha statue should be kept clean and uncluttered.
• Never place a Buddha statue in an unsanitary place, such as a bathroom, kitchen or toilet.
• Avoid placing Buddha statues near machines with moving parts or electrical outlets, televisions, computers, etc.
• Placing your Buddha statue in the garden is excellent for meditation and protection.
• Do not place your Buddha statue directly on the ground.
• To bring abundance to your house, the Buddha must be facing the house.
• Try to place the Buddha facing east, towards sunrise.

In the house, the Buddha must be facing the room If the Buddha is there to protect you, place him in front of an entrance, facing those who enter.

Buddha statues can also be used in the work environment to focus the mind and attract success and wealth. It is possible to place the Buddha on a desk, as long as the area is kept clean and tidy.

A Buddha statue for the outdoors and your garden?

These statues also act as a great decorative peace for your home or office. It is also believed that having a statue in your home or work can bring prosperity to you and your loved ones. Having a Buddha statue in your backyard or living room can help change your perception of life and help you find its true meaning. So where can you get these special and rare Buddha statues?

For more information, please visit Cultural Bronze Sculptures.

Benefits of gold offerings to Buddha statues