Siamese sculpture in the Hermitage

Crowned Buddha in meditation

Ayutthaya

16th - early 17th century

Bronze

Height: 18 cm

Depictions of the Buddha sitting in a pose of meditation were previously almost unknown in Siamese art. Often they are only fairly small statuettes that are easily transportable. The Buddha is dressed in the "closed manner", which in a seated pose creates an even greater illusion of a naked body. The hem of his clothing is conveyed in a stylized manner by engraved lines on the ankles, neck and wrists. At times, as in the present case, of all the Buddha's adornments only the crown is present. On it we can see vertical ribs or fastenings that separate the adjoining exquisite ornament into symmetrical fragments. This is an important feature since (like the presence of the crown alone) it points to a relatively early date for the figurine.

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