Origin: Thailand, Circa: 19 century
h.10.5 in.(26.5cm) X w.7 in.(18cm) X d.2 in.(5cm)
Condition: chips and gilt loss
The
Buddha's costume has the winged ornamentation that is found in the statuary and
traditional royal costume in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It indicates a celestial quality
of heaven and earth and the realms in between. Buddhism in Thailand and Burma
is considered syncretic, a fusion of Theravada Buddhism with the highly colorful
and creative native animism. This
highly refined classical statue is an exquisite representation of the art form
and the genre. The Buddha is adorned with heavy gold leaf though worn in places,
and the fontanel spire of the crown has since missing. Nonetheless the intricate
artistry and delicate sweet expression ever more enhance through time.