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A GILT LACQUERED COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF Before the 18th century, Emaciated Buddha images were unique to
EMACIATED BUDDHA Gandhara. Thai artists of the Rattanakosin period (1782-1932) revived
THAILAND, RATTANAKOSIN PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY this dramatic Theravadan subject. Today, similar large images of
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61625 Emaciated Buddha are displayed publically in Thai Buddhist temples,
34.5 cm (13 1/2 in.) high such as the Wat Umong in Chiang Mai, and Wat Bejamabophit in
Bangkok.
HK$160,000 - 240,000
Provenance
Bonhams, London, 6 November 2008, lot 354
泰國 拉達那哥欣時期 十九世紀 銅漆金釋迦牟尼佛苦行像
This captivating sculpture depicts one of few subjects in Buddhist
art to stress Shakyamuni’s mortal body. Scholars debate two
interpretations from Shakyamuni’s hagiography. One refers to the
episode where he fasted for six years before refuting the practice
of extreme asceticism. The other refers to the forty-nine days he
remained locked in meditation after attaining enlightenment.
36 | BONHAMS
