Page 120 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

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A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF BUDDHA
Thailand, Northern Sukhothai style, 15th/16th century
Seated in half-lotus with the earth-touching gesture on an hexagonal base,
his face in deep satisfaction.
12 3/4 in. (32.5 cm) high
$40,000 - 60,000
泰國 北素可泰風格 十五／十六世紀 銅佛坐像
This is an attractive example of the Northern Sukhothai style that blends elements of the
Sukhothai and Lan Na schools – two highpoints in Thai sculpture. It survives with a wonderful
deep green patina with remains of gilding. The cut-out designs on its hollow pedestal are
typical of Lan Na craftsmanship; an ellipse with eight scallops is one of the most favored
shapes. For similar pedestals, see National Museum Volunteers Group, Treasures from the
National Museum, Bangkok, 2010, p. 33, no. 50, and Stratton, Buddhist Sculpture of Northern
Thailand, Chiang Mai, 2004, p. 65, fig. 3.86.
However, the figure is more emphatic of the Sukhothai style. Its flame ushnisha, oval face, and
slimmer body are more often seen in sculptures created after the mid-15th century. Classical
Lan Na images also tend to depict the robe’s hem draping high above the pectoral, whereas
here it follows the Sukhothai convention of terminating it by the navel. For other examples of
Northern Sukhothai style, see ibid., p. 224, fig. 8.73, and National Museum Volunteers Group,
Treasures from the National Museum, Bangkok, 2010, p. 32, no. 48.
Published
Pratapaditya Pal, The Sensuous Immortals, A Selection Of Sculptures From The Pan-Asian
Collection, Los Angeles, 1977, no. 135(B)
Provenance
Pan-Asian Collection
On loan to Denver Art Museum, 1965-77
On loan to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1977-82
Private American Collection

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