Southeast Asia, Burma, Laos, or Northern Thailand, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A life size Buddha head fragment crafted from dried lacquer; the hollow interior is due to the use of a mold. The hair nodules are formed in relief using a lacquer technique called thayo that uses a mixture of ingredients, like ash and powdered rice husks to create a thick paste. The serene face is painted using red and a copper metallic hue. The dry lacquer sculpture technique was created in China and spread to Southeast Asia; it is somewhat similar to papier mache. In this method, a clay core is shaped, covered with ash and water wash, and layered with cloth strips saturated in a mixture of lacquer sap and sawdust. After molding and shaping, and drying, the inner clay core is removed, and the resulting statue is then coated with lacquer and pigments to seal the surface. Size: 7.5" W x 9.5" H (19 cm x 24.1 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA collection

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#184082

Head is a fragment from a larger statue as shown. Chip to nose and hair nodules. Fading and chipping to surface pigments. Overall fine, antique condition.