A MASSIVE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA MARAVIJAYA, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
A MASSIVE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA MARAVIJAYA, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
Northern Thailand or Laos. Heavily cast, depicted seated in virasana, with the right hand lowered in bhumisparsha mudra and the left resting over his lap, while clad in a diaphanous sanghati draped over the left shoulder, leaving the right exposed. The strikingly modeled face bearing a serene expression, with heavy-lidded eyes beneath strongly arched, raised brows that converge on a triangular aquiline nose, and full, projecting lips forming a gentle smile, all framed by long pendulous earlobes. The hair is neatly arranged in tight spikes covering the slightly domed ushnisha.
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear, casting irregularities, traces of weathering, dents, nicks, minor losses, extensive remnants of lacquer gilding.
Weight: 16.8 kg
Dimensions: Height 40.8 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 centres of production like Chiang Mai. Within this context, it is not surprising that the present lot shows stylistic features common to both cultures.
The bhumisparsa mudra is a gesture that echoes the Buddha's call of the Earth to witness and attest to his achievement of maravijaya, literally meaning 'victory over Mara'. Before achieving enlightenment, the meditating Buddha was assaulted by the forces of Mara, a demon who personifies both death and the attachments that trap living beings in a cycle of worldly suffering. Prevailing over Mara, the Buddha touched the earth with his right hand so that she would witness his moment of victory–and his enlightenment.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related copper alloy figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, Laos, dated to the 17th-18th century, 29.5 cm high, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), accession number AC1995.192.1. Compare a related Lan Na bronze figure of Buddha, dated by inscription to 1540-1541, 55 cm high, in the British Museum, registration number FBInd.5.a. Compare a related Lan Na bronze figure of the seated Buddha in Maravijaya, dated by inscription to 1554, 62.2 cm high, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 54.2746.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Paris, 10 December 2019, lot 159
Price: EUR 9,375 or approx.
EUR 12,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze figure of seated Buddha Shakyamuni, Thailand, Ayutthaya style, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and manner of casting, with similar facial features, hairstyle, robe, patina, and remnants of lacquer gilding. Note the base and larger size (79 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Amsterdam, 31 October 2000, lot 112
Price: NLG 19,893 or approx.
EUR 16,500 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 subject, modeling, and manner of casting. Note the flame finial and the size (34 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
A MASSIVE BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA MARAVIJAYA, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
Northern Thailand or Laos. Heavily cast, depicted seated in virasana, with the right hand lowered in bhumisparsha mudra and the left resting over his lap, while clad in a diaphanous sanghati draped over the left shoulder, leaving the right exposed. The strikingly modeled face bearing a serene expression, with heavy-lidded eyes beneath strongly arched, raised brows that converge on a triangular aquiline nose, and full, projecting lips forming a gentle smile, all framed by long pendulous earlobes. The hair is neatly arranged in tight spikes covering the slightly domed ushnisha.
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear, casting irregularities, traces of weathering, dents, nicks, minor losses, extensive remnants of lacquer gilding.
Weight: 16.8 kg
Dimensions: Height 40.8 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 centres of production like Chiang Mai. Within this context, it is not surprising that the present lot shows stylistic features common to both cultures.
The bhumisparsa mudra is a gesture that echoes the Buddha's call of the Earth to witness and attest to his achievement of maravijaya, literally meaning 'victory over Mara'. Before achieving enlightenment, the meditating Buddha was assaulted by the forces of Mara, a demon who personifies both death and the attachments that trap living beings in a cycle of worldly suffering. Prevailing over Mara, the Buddha touched the earth with his right hand so that she would witness his moment of victory–and his enlightenment.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related copper alloy figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, Laos, dated to the 17th-18th century, 29.5 cm high, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), accession number AC1995.192.1. Compare a related Lan Na bronze figure of Buddha, dated by inscription to 1540-1541, 55 cm high, in the British Museum, registration number FBInd.5.a. Compare a related Lan Na bronze figure of the seated Buddha in Maravijaya, dated by inscription to 1554, 62.2 cm high, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 54.2746.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Paris, 10 December 2019, lot 159
Price: EUR 9,375 or approx.
EUR 12,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze figure of seated Buddha Shakyamuni, Thailand, Ayutthaya style, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and manner of casting, with similar facial features, hairstyle, robe, patina, and remnants of lacquer gilding. Note the base and larger size (79 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Amsterdam, 31 October 2000, lot 112
Price: NLG 19,893 or approx.
EUR 16,500 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 subject, modeling, and manner of casting. Note the flame finial and the size (34 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
