If you ever start considering famous Statues and Figurines throughout history, the list is limitless. Asia is a continent full of majestic monuments, stunning sculptures and artistic statues, each having a story to tell. Right from the memorial of 36 kings “Genghis Khan Statue” to the great army of terracotta warriors built to protect the Chinese Emperor.
All these sculptures and figurines are aesthetically pleasing and add color and emotion to our life. Here, we have added a couple of our pictures and made the final compilation of the 10 most famous Asian Statues and Figurines.
Great Seated Buddha:
This great seated Buddha (Laos) is perhaps the earliest iconic representations of Shakyamuni from Gandhara. He is sitting in a yogic posture with his right hand in Abhaya mudra (a gesture of approachability); his unusual halo has serrations that indicate radiating light. His hairstyle, the form of his robes, and the treatment of the figure reflect stylistic contacts with the classical traditions of the West.
This Buddha shows closer affinities to Roman sculpture than any other surviving Gandharan bronze. This great seated Buddha (Laos) is reproduction in resin with patina and is material of the original stone.
Foo Dogs – Guardian Lion:
Pair of Guardian lions resembles the main approaches to the sanctuary of most Khmer temples and were mostly placed along the stairways and on terraces. The Asian Art Sculptures Guardian lion, expressive royalty, strength, & courage. It was the personal symbol of the Khmer kings, who were believed to be gods as well.
Therefore, the lion as guardian of the sacred zone can ward off evil through both divine and royal protection. We’ve bought to you this male-female pair where the male lion is playing with a ball that represents the sun, the egg symbol of the dual aspects of nature, or merely a precious stone. Whereas the female lion is generally accompanied by its young.
Chinese Buffalo Lying Down:
Best among the Asian statues and figurines, lying buffalo is made of patina that has played a ceremonial role in many Late Neolithic cultures. Artisans had full command of the art during the Shang dynasty and technical language developed in the diverse Late Neolithic cultures that had jade-working traditions. While other Shang forms have their ancestries in earlier works, the statue of three-dimensional animals, used as charms or decoration, is an innovation that may derive from the interest in natural forms found in the bronze art of the period.
Compact yet powerful, at rest yet alert, this lying buffalo illustrates the classy jade working of the period in the careful depiction of its bulk and presence and the skillful handling of the natural textures
Buddhist Monk Budai:
Budai, a tenth-century monk, is famously known as Laughing Buddha for his laughing face and round stomach. This creative and pretty Asian art sculptures Named after the cloth sack (Budai) that he carries under his arm.
It is believed that Happy Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a widely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and abundance.
The image of Hotei is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (One which never empties), which is filled with many precious items. Many Chinese see him as an incarnation of the Buddha Maitreya (the Future Buddha), but this claim was only allegorical and with no basis.
Green Tara:
Green Tara’s means One Who Saves. She exemplifies the inspiration of the older mother-goddess cults upon the Buddhist Mahayana religion.
Her concept advanced in India, and later she became the most important goddess in the Mahayana pantheon. In Tibet and Nepal, this Asian art sculptures holds a very prominent position.
She is observed as his consort and is frequently portrayed with him. She is believed to be a human protector while they are crossing the ocean of existence. Her compassion for living beings, her desire to save them from suffering, is said to be stronger than a mother’s love for her child
Kuan-Yin with Rosary:
Kuan Yin, among the famous Asian statues and figurines, is a highly revered manifestation of the Buddha who appears in Chinese scriptures around 400 a.d. Kuan Yin originally known as Avalokiteswara (“the Lord who regards”), “which resembles the one who hears the cries of the world” and personifies the compassion of the Buddha for the needy.
She is often called “The Goddess of Mercy. She is often shown holding a vase containing the waters of compassion, the lotus flower of enlightenment and a rosary (or mala) used as an aid for meditation and praying.
Reclining Buddha:
This Asian art sculpture represents the Buddha at the time of death, the monument he gave his final instructions to 12 disciples gathered around him, and then he adopted this reclining pose and passed into Nirvana. Born in 563 B.C. in northeast India, Gautama Buddha is the son of the King of the Sakyas. Suddhodana, who ruled at Kapilavastu, on the border of Nepal.
While meditating under a sacred fig tree, he attained perfect illumination (Bodhi). Where he became a Buddha. From there on he traveled and preached for 44 years what was to become one of the main religions of the world.
Jayavarman VIII:
Lacking any royal or divine powers, this King Jayavarman VII statue represents a simple, spiritual man. Following the tradition, his hair is pulled back and tied in a small bun like a chignon.
Facial expression is emphasized by semi-closed eyes, a slight smile, a broad forehead, lips that are neither thin nor thick, and long ear lobes. These traits signify the Khmer physiognomy. The power of the king articulated by his facial expression evokes supreme knowledge, compassion, and peacefulness.
Meditating Japanese Buddha:
Sitting Buddha in the Dhyana mudrā or ‘Meditation Position.’ The hands in Dhyana Mudra, the hand gesture that promotes the energy of meditation, deep contemplation and unity with higher energy.
This meditating Japanese Buddha has a peaceful countenance with downcast introspective eyes and a firm brow. Earlobes are stretched long from a youth spent as a prince wearing heavy gold earrings. You will also find a third eye on his forehead.
Prosperity Frog:
This three-legged Prosperity Frog (called “Chan Chu” in Chinese) is a famous Asian sculpture for sale at The Museum Outlet. It is one of the most significant symbols of prosperity in Feng Shui.
The toad is often sitting on top of a bed of Chinese gold coins, with one coin fixed within the mouth so it will always stay in place. Chinese legends say that the Money Frog was the wife of one of the Eight Immortals.