Antique Burmese Bronze Statue
A 19th-century Burmese bronze Nat (deity) from the Late Konbaung period. The figure holds a Burmese dagger (Dha-hmyaung) and sits in the meditative Vajraparyankasana lotus position, indicating that he is a Lokapala, Guardian Deity. He wears a pointed, multi-tiered (Shwe Kyee) Deva crown and is dressed in traditional Burmese royal attire, decorated with detailed motifs resembling those found on real court dress. The garment features flared 'wings' at the hips, a signature of the Konbaung dynasty style. The 'v-shaped' flared panels at the waist (hsein-na-ba) and the tiered crown show that he is a Min, or royal class deity. The dagger, crown, and seated pose suggest this statue likely represents Min Kyawzwa (also known as Ko Gyi Kyaw), one of the most popular figures among the '37 Great Nats' of Myanmar. He is believed to grant worldly success, wealth, and protection to those who honor him. The statue is a high-quality, solid bronze piece made using the lost-wax casting method, and was probably commissioned for a shrine or royal household. The base is a modern acrylic display stand used in galleries or museums for exhibition purpose.
