19th Century Indian Mucalinda Naga Buddha Statue Hand Carved Bone

This item is in good antique condition, appropriate patina to the bone, age consistent alteration to the bone as shown, to the base a small area of resin is present perhaps from mounting. It presents well.


"Mucalinda, Muchalinda or Mucilinda is the name of a nāga, a snake-like being, who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.[2] It is said that six weeks after Gautama Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended. However, the mighty King of Serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the One who is the source of all protection. When the great storm had cleared, the serpent king assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha, and returned in joy to his palace. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucalinda