Large lacquered and gilt wood Buddha, Siam, 18th Century

Standing Buddha, large size, in lacquered and gilded wood, in the abhaya mudrà gesture of absence of fear and protection.
This gesture evokes the episode when Buddha was attacked by a furious elephant in the streets of Rajagarha. The animal, renowned for its bad temper, came from the stables of Ajatasatrù, king of Magadha. He had been intoxicated at the instigation of Devadatta, the Buddha's "bad cousin", who wanted to assassinate him. But when the elephant arrived in front of the Master, it was captivated by his serenity, and stopped dead in its tracks, kneeling before him in tribute.
Lacquered and gilded wood.
Part of the gilding is missing on the torso, shoulders and hands. Accident to left elbow.
Height with base: 1.23m
Siam, 18th c.