Southeast Asia, Thailand, Ayutthaya Period, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. A hollow bronze Buddha head, expertly cast with a serene facial expression, tightly curled hair nodes, heavily laden meditative eyes, a fine, long nose and outlined, fleshy lips. A flaming ushnisha rises from the top of the head. Comes with custom stand. Size: 4.7" W x 10.4" H (11.9 cm x 26.4 cm); height on stand: 17.1" (43.4 cm)

The clear brow line and distinctive border around the hair are characteristics of the Ayutthaya period; bronze was highly prized during the early part of this period. The use of curved lines and the curled nodes for hair reflect the influence of the Gupta style from India. Medieval Thailand practiced Theravada Buddhism and much of their sculptural art focused on representations of the Buddha. When the great city of Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767, many of their Buddha statues were broken; a head like this would have once graced a larger statue in a temple or public space.

Provenance: Ex-Private New York Collection; Ex-Shirley Temple Black Collection; most likely acquired from William Randolph Hearst before 1960.

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#120917

Head is a fragment, with neck slightly rough where it was broken (see above for description). Lower profile areas have some light encrustation.