Shan buddhist art on the market: what, where and why?

Shan Buddha images are generally identifiable even in the absense of typologies of Shan iconographic styles. Our contribution herewith to the development of such a typology is based on recognizably Shan Buddha images within the Northern Illinois University Burma Art collection, several of which bear inscriptions indicating date and provenance. That the present borders of Burma/Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and China dissect the former Shan kingdoms – in none of which countries the Shan assert cultural sovereignty – suggests an eclectic approach to Shan iconography, and implies the reason for the seemingly-disproportionate present share of Shan Buddha images in the international antiquities trade.