17th century Khmer glass Buddha. There are pieces broken from the base, and the face has fracture cracks on the very front. This is the image of the Buddha in meditation calling the earth to witness. The glass is green, like the emerald Buddhas of Thailand and Cambodia. Over the green glass the definition of the garment is achieved by sculpted line and by gold leaf dressing. There is gold leaf also accenting the hair, ears, and top most point above the usnisa (raised area on the head of the Buddha). Above the usnisa is the symbol of the spiritual fire.
In the throne room of the royal palace in Pnom Penh the King's Hall, which tourists may walk through, has a bank of glass covered showcases on either side of a large central rug area where tourists may walk around the throne. The showcases have hundreds of small Buddhas that were given to the king. Among them are some similar to this one.
