Seated Buddha, lava stone (basalt) Indonesia Hand carved from a single piece of rock. Dimensions: 31ʺW × 20ʺD × 36ʺH Reference: A similar seared Buddha On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery. Last photo: A Buddha torso, early 9th century. In the collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco This is one of a small group of Mid century Southeast Asian Buddhas from the Nandaimo collection. The Buddha sits in a cross-legged posture with his hands in a gesture signifying meditation (bhumisparsha)*. The statue is in a style of the early 9th century associated with the Mekong Delta and the Zhenla kingdom. * Bhumisparsha Mudra: Symbolizes the connection to the earth and spiritual awakening. It is a gesture traditionally associated with the enlightenment of Buddha. Buddha statues, like the one here, are frequently carved from volcanic materials such as basalt or lava rock. These materials are essentially the same, with lava rock being a more general term for basalt or mafic rock that forms when molten lava cools and hardens. Basalt is an igneous volcanic rock known for its grounding qualities. Symbolism: Lava stone Buddha statues are considered special artifacts, particularly those with a long history in countries like Indonesia, where Buddhism has deep roots. They are often associated with peace, meditation, and grounding energy. Appearance: These statues typically have a natural, earthy tone and can exhibit signs of weathering and erosion, particularly if they are antique pieces.