Hello, this item is a carved wooden Buddha figure in the Burmese or Nepalese-inspired style, most likely produced during the mid to late 20th century, circa 1960s to 1980s, for the decorative export market. The sculpture depicts the Buddha seated in bhumisparsha mudra, the “earth-touching gesture,” associated with the moment of enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. While the owner describes it as Nepalese, the elongated facial proportions, stylized robe detailing, jeweled decoration, and lacquered gilded surface also reflect strong Burmese and broader Southeast Asian decorative influences. The figure appears to be hand-carved from wood with applied gesso, lacquer, gilt finish, and inset mirrored or colored glass ornamentation. The underside and rear construction confirm age and hand-worked assembly, though the execution and materials indicate a decorative devotional object rather than an older temple sculpture or museum-grade antique. Pieces of this type were widely sold through import shops and Asian art retailers in North America during the 1970s and 1980s, which aligns well with the stated provenance from Vancouver approximately 40 years ago.

Condition shows visible age-related wear throughout, including surface losses to the gilding and lacquer, cracking to the wooden structure, abrasions, chips, and wear to the decorative inlays. The base also shows significant aging and splitting consistent with natural wood movement over time. Despite this, the sculpture retains strong decorative presence due to its scale, serene expression, and surviving gilt surface. From a market perspective, similar Southeast Asian decorative Buddha figures generally sell within the mid-range decorative Asian antiques market rather than the high-end Himalayan art sector, unless supported by documented provenance or earlier dating. Based on comparable sales and the observed craftsmanship and condition, the fair market value would likely fall between $300 and $700 USD.