A MONUMENTAL BRONZE HEAD OF BUDDHA, LAN NA, NORTHERN THAILAND, 14TH-15th CENTURY

Expert’s note:
Thai bronzes of this size and preservation are exceptionally rare, particularly those that are over 500 years old. It's challenging to imagine the immense scale of the complete sculpture to which this head belonged, standing at well over 2 meters tall. Only a few works of similar magnitude have endured the test of time, and this magnificent head is among the largest privately owned examples. Despite centuries passing, it has retained all its spirit, a near-magical presence, a sense of tranquility, and, above all, its ability to inspire.

Buddha’s slightly elongated oval face with outlined smiling lips, aquiline nose, neatly incised heavy-lid downcast eyes below finely arched eyebrows in relief, his ears with extended pierced earlobes, the hair arranged in rows of snail shell curls, surmounted by an ushnisha.

The bronze heavily cast and with a rich naturally grown patina, showing distinct malachite encrustations. The surface with natural wear overall, resulting from centuries of worshipping.


Provenance:
From an old private collection in Palm Beach, Florida, USA. Sotheby's New York, 23 March 1995, lot 101. A private collection in New Jersey, USA, acquired from the above, and thence by descent within the family.

Condition:
Superb condition, commensurate with age, showing extensive wear, weathering, and expected casting flaws. Some losses, nicks, and scratches. The interior of the head with a filling used to mount the head to the stand. The wood base with age cracks and flaking to lacquer.

Weight: 24.7 kg (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 40.5 cm (the head) and 60 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted on a wood base, dating from the 20th century. (2)


The present bronze
bears distinctive features of the Sukhothai style, evident in its oval shape, hairline, and aquiline nose. A closely related example from the Sukhothai tradition is a bronze head now housed in the Sawanvoranayok National Museum (see literature comparison). However, there are slight variations in the facial treatment, such as less upswept eyes and fuller lips. The face also shows arched eyebrows, an upward turn at the sides of the mouth, and an oval marking on the chin. The flowing curves of these features come together harmoniously, making this sculpture an excellent representation of the neighboring Lan Na Kingdom’s artistic style. Lan Na was a powerful state in Northern Thailand and actively promoted Buddhism, shaping their Buddhist sculptures with influences from the Sukhothai kingdom.


During the late 13th century
, Sukhothai reached its peak under King Ram Khamhaeng's reign. However, after his death, the kingdom declined, and various tributary states began to break away rapidly. Lan Na annexed Tak, an ancient town in Sukhothai, and other regions to the north and west asserted their independence. By the 14th century, Sukhothai had diminished to a local power and eventually became a tributary state of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, a neighboring Thai polity. In 1438, after the death of Borommapan, Ayutthaya annexed Sukhothai, bringing an end to its independent existence.


Literature comparison:

Compare a closely related Buddha bronze head, dated to the 14th-15th century, from Wat Mai, Sukhothai, now in the Sawanvoranayok National Museum, illustrated in Ancient Sukhothai: Thailand’s Cultural Heritage, Dawn F. Rooney, 2008, pp. 198-99. Compare closely related Buddhas, held in Thai temples, illustrated in Stratton, Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, 2004, pp. 163-179, & figs. 7.50-7.58. Compare the fragmentary example held in the National Museum, Lamphun, published in Bowie (ed.), The Sculpture of Thailand, New York, 1972, p. 94-5, no. 55. Compare a closely related Buddha head at the National Museum of Bangkok and published in J. Boisselier, La sculpture en Thailande, Fribourg, 1987, pl. 111.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams, Paris, 25-26 October 2022, lot 83
Price: EUR 176,775 or approx.
EUR 182,000
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper alloy head of Buddha, Thailand, Sukhothai School, Kampheng Phet, 14th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting and modeling with similar features. Note the similar size (43 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s, London, 11 May 2016, lot 82
Price: GBP 60,000 or approx.
EUR 101,000
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A monumental bronze head of Buddha, Thailand, Lan Na period, 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting and modeling with similar features. Note the slightly larger size (45 cm).