Southeast Asia, Thailand, Haripunjaya (also Haripunchai), ca. 13th century CE. A very rare stucco head of a Buddha, carved in extremely high relief (in the round save verso), and presenting an expression of intense concentration with a furrowed brow, downcast eyes (still showing delineated pupils), full fleshy lips that are carefully outlined, long ears, and a crown of curls rising to an ushnisha. Please note that Buddha heads from the Mon people of Thailand - the Mon Dvaravati and Khmer peoples among the earlier civilizations of Southeast Asia - are quite rare. Size: 7.875" H (20 cm); 14.125" H (35.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Haripunjaya was an ancient Mon kingdom that arose around the Mae Nam Ping Valley in northwestern Thailand. A queen of Lopburi (capital of the Mon Dvaravati kingdom) founded Haripunjaya in the mid-7th century. Haripunjaya developed a thriving civilization replete with laws, irrigation systems, and art. In addition, Haripunjaya subscribed to Theravada Buddhism, thus spreading Indian religious and cultural influences.
This piece was featured in Sotheby's New York "Indian and Southeast Asian Works of Art" (19 March 2008, lot 257). The catalogue note from the Sotheby's description of this piece states: "The prominently delineated features are characteristic of the Haripunjaya style and recall the Dvaravati school of sculpture, see Hiram W. Woodward, Jr., 'The Sacred Sculpture of Thailand: The Alexander B. Griswold Collection The Walters Art Gallery,' USA, 1997, p. 130, fig. 132."
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex collection of J. Welles Henderson (1921 - 2007), acquired in 1977; ex Sotheby's Indian and S.E. Asian Works of Art, March 19, 2008, lot 257
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#153120
Condition
Repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Expected surface wear with losses to ears, tip of nose, and other high-pointed areas as shown. Nice detailing of the features and traces of pigmentation remain.