Buddha

This Buddha from Myanmar was constructed using cloth soaked in a plant-based resin called lacquer. To create the basic form of the figure, the cloth was draped and shaped over a clay model or wood armature and was allowed to dry to a stiff consistency before the interior support was removed. Additional lacquer was added to the surface and sculpted to form details. After it was painted in gold, this smooth, lightweight material could mimic much heavier, more expensive metal sculptures.