Description
A SUKHOTHAI BRONZE HEAD OF BUDDHA, KAMPHAENG PHET
Thailand, 15th century. Bronze with the face bearing important Kamphaeng Phet style features such as the downcast almond-shaped eyes and the sharp eyebrows forming a continuous, V-shaped line arising from the end of the curved nose bridge.
Provenance: From a private collection of Buddhist art. By repute acquired by the parents of the present owner in Asia around 1980.
Condition: Sparse remains of gilding. Losses and dents as visible on the images. Fine, natural patina with minimal remains of pigment. Old wear. Overall fine condition and in accordance with the age of this statue.
Weight: 2,091.5 g (including base)
Dimensions: 16.5 cm (height of the head), 24 cm (total height with base)
Buddha shows a serene, peaceful expression with slender, incised lips flanked by pendulous earlobes with slightly outturned tips, all surmounted by a flattened heart-shaped hairline of tight curls. Containing an important group of ancient cities neighboring Sukhothai, the region of Kamphaeng Phet was ideally situated for river trade with Southern Burma, the Lan Na kingdom, and the Chao Phraya basin. Later in the 16th century, Kamphaeng Phet’s strategic location served to defend against Burmese attacks on the Ayutthaya kingdom.
Mounted to modern wood base. (2)
Auction result comparison: For two comparable Buddha head bronzes, larger in size, see Bonham’s, Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art, 17 September 2014, New York, lot 176, sold for USD $27,500 and Sotheby’s, Defining Taste, Works Selected By Danny Katz, 12 November 2013, London, lot 20, sold for GBP £13,750.