A FINE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, LAOS, LAN XANG KINGDOM, 16TH CENTURY
A FINE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, LAOS, LAN XANG KINGDOM, 16TH CENTURY
Finely cast seated in dhyanasana on a tall tiered hexagonal base, his right hand lowered in bhumisparsha mudra and the left held in dhyana mudra above his lap, wearing a tight-fitting robe with incised hems and a long pleat draped over the left shoulder, the serene face with heavy-lidded eyes, arched brows, and full lips forming a benevolent smile, flanked by elongated earlobes, the hair arranged in tight curls over the ushnisha topped by a flame finial.
Expert's note: Particularly noteworthy is the elaborate pedestal, which constitutes an integral part of the sculpture rather than merely serving as its support. Below the conventional lotus throne rises a massive, multi-tiered architectural base, its widely projecting and subtly upturned ledges recalling the superimposed rooflines of early Lao temple architecture. Such architecturally conceived pedestals are a distinctive feature encountered among important Lao Buddha images of the Lan Xang period (1353 to 1707), particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries, when Buddhist sculpture and temple architecture underwent an exceptional flowering.
The visual analogy may well have been intentional: by elevating the Buddha above the structure of a sacred building, the pedestal effectively creates an architectural throne, emphasizing the image's intimate connection with the temple in which it was worshipped.
Provenance: French trade. By repute acquired from a private estate in northern France.
Condition: Good condition with old wear and casting irregularities. Remnants of gilding to the hair, age cracks and fissures to the base, thick soil encrustations and deposits to the interior.
Weight: 5.3 kg
Dimensions: Height 42.8 cm
The history and religion of Laos and northern Thailand share a various degree of assimilation and development. The founder of the Thai Lan Na Kingdom, King Mangrai, took Vientiane under his rule in the 13th century. Half a century later, the Thai exile, Fa Ngum, broke away and established the Lao kingdom Lan Xang Hom Khao. He is credited with bringing the Sinhalese Buddhism adopted in Northern Thailand to Laos. Similarly, Lao Buddhist sculpture borrowed heavily from northern Thai styles produced at centers of production like Chiang Mai. Within this context, it is not surprising that the present lot shows stylistic features common to both cultures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Thai bronze of Buddha dated 15th-16th century in the Weltmuseum, Vienna, inventory number 19066.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Amsterdam, 31 October 2000, lot 112
Price: NLG 19,893 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Laos, Chien Seng style, bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, late 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar features and expression. Note the smaller size (34 cm high).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Koller, Zurich, 7 June 2016, lot 469
Price: CHF 35,300 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni seated on a high throne, Laos, ca. 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar features and expression. Note the larger size (93 cm).
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
A FINE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, LAOS, LAN XANG KINGDOM, 16TH CENTURY
Finely cast seated in dhyanasana on a tall tiered hexagonal base, his right hand lowered in bhumisparsha mudra and the left held in dhyana mudra above his lap, wearing a tight-fitting robe with incised hems and a long pleat draped over the left shoulder, the serene face with heavy-lidded eyes, arched brows, and full lips forming a benevolent smile, flanked by elongated earlobes, the hair arranged in tight curls over the ushnisha topped by a flame finial.
Expert's note: Particularly noteworthy is the elaborate pedestal, which constitutes an integral part of the sculpture rather than merely serving as its support. Below the conventional lotus throne rises a massive, multi-tiered architectural base, its widely projecting and subtly upturned ledges recalling the superimposed rooflines of early Lao temple architecture. Such architecturally conceived pedestals are a distinctive feature encountered among important Lao Buddha images of the Lan Xang period (1353 to 1707), particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries, when Buddhist sculpture and temple architecture underwent an exceptional flowering.
The visual analogy may well have been intentional: by elevating the Buddha above the structure of a sacred building, the pedestal effectively creates an architectural throne, emphasizing the image's intimate connection with the temple in which it was worshipped.
Provenance: French trade. By repute acquired from a private estate in northern France.
Condition: Good condition with old wear and casting irregularities. Remnants of gilding to the hair, age cracks and fissures to the base, thick soil encrustations and deposits to the interior.
Weight: 5.3 kg
Dimensions: Height 42.8 cm
The history and religion of Laos and northern Thailand share a various degree of assimilation and development. The founder of the Thai Lan Na Kingdom, King Mangrai, took Vientiane under his rule in the 13th century. Half a century later, the Thai exile, Fa Ngum, broke away and established the Lao kingdom Lan Xang Hom Khao. He is credited with bringing the Sinhalese Buddhism adopted in Northern Thailand to Laos. Similarly, Lao Buddhist sculpture borrowed heavily from northern Thai styles produced at centers of production like Chiang Mai. Within this context, it is not surprising that the present lot shows stylistic features common to both cultures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Thai bronze of Buddha dated 15th-16th century in the Weltmuseum, Vienna, inventory number 19066.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Amsterdam, 31 October 2000, lot 112
Price: NLG 19,893 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Laos, Chien Seng style, bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, late 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar features and expression. Note the smaller size (34 cm high).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Koller, Zurich, 7 June 2016, lot 469
Price: CHF 35,300 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni seated on a high throne, Laos, ca. 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar features and expression. Note the larger size (93 cm).
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
