AN IMPRESSIVE LACQUER GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, RATTANAKOSIN
Thailand, Bangkok/ Rattanakosin Kingdom, 1782-1851. Seated in dhyanasana on an elaborate four-tiered pedestal decorated with geometric and lotus designs, with the hands lowered in dhyana mudra. Clad in royal attire with extensive adornments, reflecting the fashion of the Thai royal court, the serene face with downward gazing eyes inlaid with glass and mother of pearl, below elegantly arched eyebrows, flanked by long earlobes, the hair arranged in small spikes and surmounted by a removable high ushnisha.

Condition: Good condition with some old wear, particularly to the lacquer gilding, small nicks, few minuscule losses, minor dents, light scratches and touch-ups. A larger loss to the top of the base.
Provenance: A notable private collector in Kensington, London, United Kingdom.

Dimensions: Height 120 cm, Width 80 cm, Depth 42 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related figure of Buddha, also dated to the Rattanakosin period and of similar size, at Bonhams Hong Kong in Fine Southeast Asian Arts on 29 March 2019, lot 55, bought in at an estimate of EUR 36,000 - 48,000. Another example was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong in Fine Southeast Asian Arts on 29 March 2018, lot 46, sold for EUR 74,258.

Literature comparison: See a comparable example of a Standing Buddha at the Walters Art Museum accession number 54.3000, as well as a seated example depicting maravijaya (Victory over Mara) accession number 54.2987.

See further examples of Rattanakosin-period gilt-lacquer bronze Buddha images discussed in Rod-Ari, "The Buddha as Sacred Siamese King: Brocaded Buddhas of the Third Reign", in The Walters Art Museum Journal, Vol. 73, 2018, figs.1-5.

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