AN EARLY BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM, 15TH CENTURY

AN EARLY BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM, 15TH CENTURY

Expert's note
Exquisitely cast, this figure exudes a profound serenity, its expressive power heightened by the loss to the right arm, which lends poignancy to its enduring spiritual presence. The oval face and aquiline nose reveal the strong Sukhothai influence adopted by the Ayutthaya kingdom.

Thailand. Seated in dhyanasana, with his right hand lowered in bhumisparsa mudra and the left resting in his lap. The figure is clad in a diaphanous sanghati draped over his left shoulder, leaving the right exposed. The elongated face bears a serene, meditative expression, marked by heavy-lidded, downcast eyes beneath elegantly arched brows, an aquiline nose, and full lips forming a gentle smile, all flanked by long, pendulous earlobes. The hair is neatly arranged in tight snail-shell curls covering the domed ushnisha topped by a prominent flame.

Provenance: Objets D'Art, Kensington, Maryland, United States. A private collection in Virginia, United States, acquired from the above. A copy of the original invoice from Objets D'Art, dated 9 July 2023, dating the present lot to the “seventeenth century or earlier”, accompanies the lot.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear, casting irregularities, traces of weathering, obvious losses. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown, dark patina with areas of malachite encrustation.

Weight: 5.8 kg
Dimensions: Height 45.6 cm

The Ayutthaya Kingdom considered the Buddha as a symbol of enlightenment and wisdom, and was known for its patronage of Buddhism, and many temples built during the period. These temples housed images of the Buddha and other Buddhist deities and were regarded as sacred places where people could practice their faith. The Ayutthaya Kingdom's rulers also used Buddhism as a means of legitimizing their power, considering themselves as "Buddha's representatives on earth," and their patronage of Buddhism was seen as a sign of their moral authority and righteousness.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 26 June 2018, lot 35
Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 11,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper alloy figure of Buddha, 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar treatment of the drapery and facial features. Note the similar size (50 cm) and more extensive losses.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Paris, 10 June 2021, lot 238
Price: EUR 40,320 or approx. EUR 49,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large bronze seated Buddha, Thailand, Ayutthaya period, 15th-17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting with similar treatment of the drapery and facial features. Note the size (53 cm) and state of preservation.