Nairn Museum
This was a valuable contribution to Nairn Museum by Captain Henry Augustus Rose of Ruallan, Nairn. He was the nephew of James Augustus Grant of Viewfield’s daughter, so a direct relation of James Augustus Grant of Viewfield House, now Nairn Museum.
From an article in the Nairnshire, dated 1918, ‘Captain Rose, Ruallan, has most generously presented to the Nairn Museum three lovely marble statuettes of Buddha. They are most beautiful works of art. One figure shows Buddha reclining on a couch, and is a piece of extremely delicate and ethereal sculpture. The Nairn Museum authorities have reason to congratulate themselves in having become the possessors of such a valuable group of statuary – May 1918’.
A little about the Buddhas: The seated Buddha is in a position known as Mudra. Mudras are the positioning of the hands or body that have spiritual significance. One hand is placed in the lap and the other is touching the ground. This symbolises the moment of the Buddha obtaining enlightenment. The seated Buddha with the cobra over its head indicates that this is a Naga Buddhist sculpture. The Naga snake is a deity that is sometimes shown protecting the Buddha while in meditation. The Naga is said to have sheltered the Buddha from the elements after he gained enlightenment.
Location: Nairn Museum Nairn IV12 4EE
Highland Objects 