A BRONZE HAND OF BUDDHA, AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM

A BRONZE HAND OF BUDDHA, AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM
Thailand, 16th-17th century. The left hand of Buddha delicately cast and neatly detailed with thin and elongated fingers. Note the superb patina with distinct malachite encrustations and remnants of cuprite, naturally grown over many centuries and commensurate with age.

Provenance: Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, Paris, inventory number 21222, acquired 1972 in Bangkok. The Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes (China and India Company) in Paris was founded in the early 20th century by the Blazy brothers, acquired in 1935 by Robert Rousset and later run by his grandnephews Mike Winter-Rousset and Herve du Peuty. With his sister Suzanne in charge of the porcelain, Robert Rousset developed the business, and the company became one of the most important dealers for Asian art in France, selling pieces to the greatest museums, including the Guimet and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Condition: The fragment in good condition, commensurate with age, soil encrustation, wear and weathering, losses.

Weight: 628.5 g
Dimensions: Length 16.7 cm (the hand), Size 17.5 x 7.2 x 2.8 cm (the base)

With an associated fitted hardwood base, probably dating around 1972. (2)