DIVINE HARMONY

This beautiful set includes a delicate Buddha statue and a round dowry sculpture, complete with their blackened metal stands.

The dowry statue was hand carved in river stone as per ancient techniques by local artisans on the island of Papua.
It’s shaped like a coin to symbolize prosperity. Statues like these were used in marriage proposals since the people of Papua believed that the marriage would be as sturdy as the stone they used as the dowry.
Dowry is an ancient custom that continue to be expected and demanded as a condition to accept a marriage proposal in Papua. It’s a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter, transferred from the bride's family to the groom or his family. The custom of dowry is most common in cultures that expect women to reside with or near their husband's family. 

The Buddha statue was crafted by hand in hardened sand by local artisans on the island of Java in Indonesia, known since antiquity for their exquisite carving techniques. It’s depicting Buddha in prayer.

Buddhism originated sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, and is the world's fourth-largest religion. Buddhism is the second oldest religion in Indonesia and arrived from India in the 2nd century through the Silk Road. 

The set comes complete on the black metal stands and its story printed out for you inside a beautiful envelope. Each piece is individually artisan-crafted, giving every statue its own distinctive character. Subtle variations in the finish, surface texture and the Buddha's features are a natural part of the handmade process and make each piece truly one of a kind. The handcrafted metal stands are equally individual, with small variations that reflect its artisanal making and a finish that may naturally develop a richer patina over time.

DIMENSIONS INCLUDING THE BLACKENED METAL SUPPORTS:

• The Buddha statue: around 29cm tall x 18 x 13cm
• The dowry statue: around 30 x 41cm