Thailand – Kingdom of Ayutthaya Bronze / copper alloy...

Important Buddha Śākyamuni standing crowned bronze, made in central Thailand during the Ayutthaya kingdom and attributed to the 17th century, probably to its second half. The Buddha is depicted standing in a frontal, hieratic pose, with the right hand raised in abhayamudrā, a gesture of protection and pacification. The slender silhouette is animated by a long flaring garment whose folds frame the figure, while a vertical crease runs from the belt down to the feet. The work belongs to the tradition of Buddhas in royal attire developed at Ayutthaya. The adornment remains deliberately restrained: a large diadem adorned with floral motifs, ear pendants, and a high tiered conical crown. This formula corresponds to the type traditionally designated Song Khrueng Noi, characterized by reduced royal attire, in contrast to representations that are much more elaborately adorned. The face presents the refined features of Ayutthaya Buddhist sculpture: eyes strongly lowered, meditative expression, delicately smiling mouth, and regular contours. The back of the coiffure also preserves its characteristic grid-like decoration. The sculpture was made using the traditional lost-wax hollow casting technique. The surfaces show an ancient complex patina ranging from deep brown to golden-brown, with naturally lighter areas on the exposed parts and a few occasional traces of copper corrosion. These surface differences attest to the object's long material history. An old break to the raised hand at the wrist has been restored. This intervention is localized and does not detract from the overall reading of the sculpture. The presentation base is modern. The piece comes from an old Austrian private collection, in which it had been kept since 1988, before its acquisition by the current owner on the European art market in 2022. Through its substantial dimensions, the elegance of its silhouette, the quality of the face, and the particularly decorative development of its crown, this Buddha constitutes a fine example of late Ayutthaya bronze Buddhist sculpture. Dimensions excluding base: 47.5 × 20 × 10.5 cm. Total height with base: 51.5 cm. Weight with base: 3.4 kg. The sculpture is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and study. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ot32fiboyb9azkm5196zy/AB1mMBMQ4X_IaY8QNFnq3HQ?rlkey=tx3so1mn4rjfxlglikd6q859d&dl=0

Estimate:$8,403.45

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