Southeast Asia, Thailand, Ayutthaya Period, ca. 17th century CE. A sizeable bronze cast head of a Thai Ayuthia (Ayutthaya) period Buddha. His face displays an expression of the utmost serenity with downcast eyes below gracefully arched eyebrows, a noble nose, and gently smiling full lips, clearly a visage that could inspire hours peaceful meditation, all crowned by a coiffure of tightly wound curls with an ushnisha. Size: 4.625" W x 5.875" H (11.7 cm x 14.9 cm); 9.25" H (23.5 cm) on included custom stand.
The head of Buddha is perhaps the most significant element of the deity as it represents his immense body of knowledge and wisdom along with the tranquil nature that emanates from its expression. The prominent elongated ears are a physical feature symbolic of the Buddha's time as a prince when he wore elaborate ear ornaments to demonstrate wealth and prosperity. Of course, the prince stopped wearing them when he left the palace to become an ascetic; however, his earlobes remained stretched signifying a renunciation of the material world. Beyond the multi-layered meaning embodied in the iconography of this piece, the technique executed to create the meticulously delineated curls of his coiffure and the absolute smoothness of the contours of that face is very impressive!
Provenance: private S.S. collection, Los Angeles, California, USA
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#143733
Condition
Chips/abrasions to the visage as shown. Loss to flaming ushnisha. Bronze has developed a rich patina over the centuries.