Chasing Buddhas

Mandalay is the source of many of the Buddhas that are available throughout Asia. We thought it would be fun to tour some of the shops where they are made. Here are the results:

 

 

Part One - Marble

 

All sizes and shapes.

 

 

 

 

All of the chipping and carving is done by hand, with no electric tools. Only the final polishing is done with electric power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finished product. Too heavy to carry one with us on the plane.

 

 

 

 

We really liked this one. Still waiting for its face.

 

 

 

Part Two - Bronze/Brass

 

This is the yard of a brass and bronze casting Buddha factory. The wood piles are for stoking the fires to melt the metal. The rough shapes of tan color are the start of wax Buddha carvings for use in the lost wax casting process.

 

 

 

Until the final polishing of a Buddha, there is not much pretty to look at.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quality of the wax mold is exquisite to see.

 

 

 

Size is no barrier. Here is a wax mold for a Buddha about ten feet tall.

 

 

 

Faye shows off the one we chose to buy - a Buddha on a platform supported by elephants.

 

 

Return to Around Mandalay

 

Return to Mandalay

 

Return to Myanmar

 

Return to Other Countries