A SANDSTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA, MON-DVARAVATI PERIOD
Thailand, 9th century. Sensitively carved with a serene expression, the full lips forming a subtle smile, the heavy-lidded downcast eyes beneath gently arched eyebrows, the hair in snail shell curls surmounted by an ushnisha spiraling at the top.

Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, extensive wear and losses, signs of weathering and erosion, minor nicks here and there.

Weight: 5.2 kg (total)
Dimensions: Height 19.5 cm (excl. base) and 30 cm (incl. base)

Mounted on an associated metal base. (2)

Archaeological research over the past two decades or so has revealed the presence of a 'proto-Dvaravati' period which spans the 4th-5th century, and perhaps earlier. Dvaravati itself was heavily influenced by Indian culture and played an important role in introducing Buddhism and particularly Buddhist art to the region.

Dvaravati art came into form around the 6th century by the Mon communities as part of numerous minor kingdoms that existed in Thailand. Surrounding geography proved treacherous for travel and thus provided a fair amount of isolation for the individual kingdoms. Isolation enabled the development of a highly sophisticated and distinct Mon-Dvaravati style.

Auction result comparison: Compare with a related but slightly larger sandstone head of Buddha at Christie's New York in Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Works of Art on 15 March 2016, lot 318, sold for USD 25,000.