Former Kingdom of Siam, 16th - 17th century, Large Buddha head in bronze with brown patina

Large bronze Buddha head

Ancient Kingdom of Siam
Ayutthaya School
16th - 17th century

The soft, oval face is characterized by fine, curvilinear, perfectly curved superciliary arches meeting at the base of an aquiline nose with dilated nostrils. Heavy, almost closed eyelids rest on almond-shaped, mother-of-pearl-encrusted eyes, giving the gaze an almost palpable attitude of deep interiority.
The mouth, with its thick lips and pronounced corners, is stamped with a slight smile indicating the Blessed One's detachment from the world's passions and material contingencies. The hair, once lacquered and gilded, is defined by a fine border and is made up of a multitude of small spikes, the top of the skull receiving the ushnisha (now incomplete). The long, stylized, pointed ears, characteristic of the Ayutthaya School, have lobes distended by the weight of the ornaments the Blessed One used to wear, symbolizing the Buddha's royal origin.

The city of Ayutthaya was founded around 1350 by Prince Ramadhipati, and soon became the capital of a powerful state, the newly-formed kingdom encompassing most of the territories that made up Siam. Heir to the previous empires, Ayutthaya developed an eclectic art of great variety and vivacity, blending Khmer and Sukhothai influences.

Bronze with brown patina
Missing Usnisha, visible accidents, wear and tear
31.5 x 22 cm excluding base
Private collection

°°° Due to the weight of the ensemble, and in order to ensure a secure shipment, please allow ten to fifteen days for delivery.

Ref: 2O7YXZJAYH