Seated Buddha in Meditation (Dhyana Mudra)
Outdoor garden sculpture, cast figure • Anonymous; likely manufactured for the commercial garden/home decor market.
Style & Movement
Neo-Buddhist / Zen Garden Aesthetic; derived from traditional Gandhara and Southeast Asian Buddhist iconographic styles.
Medium & Technique
Cast stone, concrete, or resin-composite; manufactured using a mold-casting technique with a weathered finish effect.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (Contemporary mass-produced)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 24 to 30 inches in height; vertical figural format.
Subject Description
A figure of Gautama Buddha seated in the padmasana (lotus position). The hands are resting in the lap in the Dhyana Mudra, symbolizing meditation and spiritual concentration. The figure features traditional snail-shell curls (ushnisha) and elongated earlobes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of outdoor exposure and environmental weathering.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired via a retail garden center or home goods specialty store for residential landscaping.
Art Historical Significance
Low; as a mass-produced decorative object, its significance lies in the contemporary Western adoption of Eastern religious iconography for secular mindfulness and landscape design rather than unique artistic innovation.
Notable Features
Features a faux-aged patina to simulate carved stone; placed on a natural rock plinth with integrated solar-powered spotlighting for nocturnal display.
Condition Issues
Visible surface lichen/moss growth on the base, minor pitting from environmental moisture, and slight discoloration/staining due to soil splash and UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle cleaning with a soft brush and water; application of a matte outdoor sealant if preservation of the current surface is desired; elevating further off the soil to prevent rising damp/staining.