Human world
Seated marble Buddha
Burma, 19th century
Accession Number 42.18a
Pilgrims took terracotta tablets on pilgrimages as charms. Sometimes they are embedded into the walls of shrines as offerings. Such acts of devotion help build up the merits needed to improve the chances in the cycle of rebirth.
Sculptors from Burma have used marble for religious figures for many centuries. Sculptors still use marble from the quarries near Mandalay. It makes an excellent surface for painting or gilding fine details.
Buddhists associate the white translucent marble with purity.