Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. 15th to 17th century CE. A graceful cast bronze hand from a large statue of the Buddha. The hand is life-size, with long, slender fingers and a narrow wrist. Details of the fingernails and lines on the palm and at the finger joints create a stylized look on the largely smooth surface. The hand was likely held in the Abhaya mudra, with one hand raised, palm out, and the other facing downward, palm out. This is the gesture of fearlessness, representing protection, peace, and dispelling fear. The backwards bend to the wrist indicates that this hand is probably the former. Size: 8.5" W x 5.5" H (21.6 cm x 14 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.
This piece has been has been tested for the presence or absence of particular elements via XRF elemental analysis. A basic 1-page summary of the XRF screening will accompany purchase, identifying each element present in the sample, as well as the quantity of elements present. A more complete analysis detailing historical data / comparisons is available for additional charge –
please contact us. Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection
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#139218
Condition
Hand is a fragment from a larger statue. There are some cracks around the wrist and the edge of the wrist is not smooth. The hand itself is nicely preserved, with nice detail and some gilding remaining.