Wooden statue of a Burmese Sasana Nat

Early Burmese carved wooden sculpture representing one of the 37 Nat, guardian spirits of the religion, 18th/19th century.

• Good condition for its age, vestige of polychromy, particularly on the back.
• Provenance: Estate of Asian art dealer and collector Claude de Marteau
• Sold with certificate of origin.
• A second Nat is also available (see last photo).
• H 77 cm x W 18 cm x D 12 cm

The Nat, protective spirits of Burma

In Burmese religious tradition, the Sasana Nat hold a particular place among protective and tutelary spirits. The traditional pantheon counts 37 Nat, still honoured today in Burma (Myanmar) through shrines, pilgrimages, temples, and various religious festivals. Unlike idealised Buddhist figures, the Nat are often described with very human traits: they may be protective, touchy, passionate, or associated with behaviours considered incompatible with Buddhist precepts.

An individualised facial expression, which traditional Buddhist canons do not allow in representations of the Buddha.

The Nat cult belongs to an ancient religious substratum of Burmese culture, predating the establishment of Theravāda Buddhism. From the 11th century, under the reign of King Anawrahta of Bagan, Theravāda gradually became the dominant tradition without erasing older beliefs linked to spirits and tutelary powers.

This coexistence explains the enduring presence of the Nat in Myanmar’s religious world. Their representations are frequently distinguished by more individualised attitudes and expressions than those of the Buddha. Where the figure of the Buddha generally favours serenity, meditation, and impassivity, a Burmese Nat statue may convey more emotion and personality.

These sculptures thus bear witness to the syncretism specific to Burmese religious tradition, in which the Nat cult has been maintained alongside Buddhism and integrated into its ritual environment. This traditional Burmese sculpture comes from the collection of Claude de Marteau and is sold with a provenance certificate.