Ancient Kingdom Of Siam, Ayutthaya School, 14th-15th Century, Bronze Buddha Head

Bronze Buddha head with a dark golden patina

Old Kingdom of Siam
Ayutthaya School
14th-15th century

The Buddha's youthful face is characterized by great gentleness and an expression of inner peace. Delicate, curved brow ridges meet at the base of an aquiline nose with dilated nostrils. The almond-shaped eyes, almost closed and framed by heavy eyelids, convey inner contemplation.
The mouth, with its thick lips, forms a slight, benevolent smile. The forehead is defined by a thin border, the headdress is represented by small spikes, and the skull is crowned with the usnisa. The earlobes are distended by the ornaments the Buddha once wore in his secular life.

Our Buddha head illustrates a transitional style between the influences of the ancient neighboring kingdoms and the stylistic canons of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767):
 • The broad, stylized face, the softness of the forms, and the measured smile, conveying meditative inner peace and serenity, are characteristic of Mon statuary.
 • The thin frontal border, clearly separating the forehead from the hair, reflects the U-Thong influence, typical of sculptures from central Thailand in the 13th and 14th centuries.
 • The regular treatment of the hair, composed of small, aligned curls, evokes Khmer aesthetics.

Through the syncretism of these three traditions, our Buddha head foreshadows the future maturity of Ayutthaya-style Buddhist sculpture, heralding the classical balance of later Thai art.

Bronze with a dark golden patina 
18.7 x 15 cm excluding base
Surface wear, visible losses.
Private European collection, mid-20th century

Contact us: culturesetcivilisations@orange.fr