The Amarapura period (1783 to 1857) was an era of cultural and artistic revival in Burma, named after the royal capital of Amarapura near Mandalay. Amarapura Buddha statues are known for their elongated faces, intricate robes, and symbolic postures, typically crafted from bronze or carved from wood. Our collection features antique statues from Myanmar.
Amarapura Buddha statues are typically crafted in bronze, gilded with gold, or carved from wood. Below are the materials most commonly found in statuary from this period:
The Amarapura period spans 1783 to 1857, named for the royal capital of Amarapura near present-day Mandalay. It followed the Ava period and marked a deliberate revival of Burmese art and culture under royal patronage, refining earlier traditions into a more elongated, elegant style that would in turn shape the later Mandalay period.
Amarapura statues are recognized by their elongated facial features, elegant postures, and intricately patterned robes with fine detailing on the hems and folds. Mudras such as the Bhumisparsha (earth-touching) and Dhyana (meditation) gestures are common, marking key moments in the Buddha's life. The overall effect is one of refined elegance, distinct from the softer roundness of earlier Ava statues.
As an era of artistic revival in Burmese Buddhist art, Amarapura statues suit a wide range of settings:
Amarapura is one of several historical periods represented in our collection, each with its own regional style and history:
It spans 1783 to 1857, named for the royal capital of Amarapura near Mandalay, and marked a revival of Burmese art and culture under royal patronage.
Elongated facial features, elegant postures, and intricately patterned robes with fine detailing on the hems and folds.
Bronze, often gilded with gold, and wood are the most common materials.
Amarapura statues develop a more elongated, elegant silhouette than the earlier Ava style, setting the stage for the more ornate detailing of the later Mandalay period.
