A COPPER ALLOY HEAD OF BUDDHA


NORTHERN THAILAND, LAN NA PERIOD, 14TH/15TH CENTURYWith remains of gilding throughout and red pigment on the lips. 12 5/8 in. (32 cm) high
|泰國北部 蘭納王朝 十四/十五世紀 銅佛首 This rare bronze head depicting Buddha deep in meditation is styled in the Early Classic Phra Singh type of the Lan Na Kingdom of Northern Thailand. This type is lauded for its comparative plumpness and naturalism, and described by Stratton as follows: "It is the face of an intensely meditating, extraordinary being, on the brink of attaining enlightenment... The eyebrows are naturalistically conceived in a broken arc, the nose is small but perfectly formed, the lips are deeply dimpled at the edges and a rounded line outlines the chin." (Stratton, Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, 2004, p.164.) A closely related Early Classic Phra Singh head is held in the National Museum, Lamphun. In addition to the features described by Stratton, the two share characteristically large snail shell curls, fleshy cheeks, and beautifully silhouetted eyes bulging from underneath the upper lids. The upper lids terminate in straight lines, while the contours of the lower lids are curved (ibid, p.173, fig.7.25). Provenance Private French Collection, acquired 1960's