Description: Antique Dvaravati style Thai stele depicting Buddha. The image of Buddha illustrates a Thai Dvaravati style sculpture. The Buddha is stood in the teaching mudra, in the dharmachakra mudra. In sanskrit, dharmachakra means the 'Wheel of Dharma'. This mudra symbolises one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath. It therefore denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching of the Dharma. In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method and wisdom. The stele is inscribed with multiple lines of sanskrit text on its front and rear. The stele without the wood base measures 56cm tall (or 48cm tall excluding its locator). Loose mounted to a wood base (later). Provenance: Ex- private US Collection. Please contact us for high resolution images of the piece.