Figure
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statue probably represents Vishnu, a Hindu deity, in spite of the fact that the absence of four of its arms make it difficult to identify. The conical crown (kirita-makuta) and the sacred thread (vajnasutra) which crosses his breast diagonally are associated with Vishnu. The treatment of the diadem which carefully surrounds the face and on which the crown rests is typical of the Hindu and Buddhist statues of the Ayudhya period. The complex treatment of the robes, covered with braid and sashes and the tassles flapping in the wind, seem to have been reserved for Thai sculptures of Buddhist statues.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Figure of Vishnu, bronze, Thailand, 15th century. |
| Physical description | This statue probably represents Vishnu, a Hindu deity, in spite of the fact that the absence of four of its arms make it difficult to identify. The conical crown (kirita-makuta) and the sacred thread (vajnasutra) which crosses his breast diagonally are associated with Vishnu. The treatment of the diadem which carefully surrounds the face and on which the crown rests is typical of the Hindu and Buddhist statues of the Ayudhya period. The complex treatment of the robes, covered with braid and sashes and the tassles flapping in the wind, seem to have been reserved for Thai sculptures of Buddhist statues. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Traditionally, Thailand is generally known as a Buddhist country and it is somewhat surprising to discover the existence of Hindu deities alongside those of the Buddhist character. In Thai Buddhist cosmology Hindu gods such as Brahma formed part of the Buddhist pantheon. The majority of the statues were kept in the Bharminical temple (brahminist) in Bangkok before being transferred to the National Museum. It is believed that they originate from the ruins of the ancient capital of Sukhothai during the reign of king Rama (1782-1806) or later. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Art and Culture Around 1492, Universal Exposition, 1992, Seville, J.Guy, p.302, No.232.
R.Lemay, A concise History of Buddhist Art in Siam, 1938, pl.205 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.38-1928 |
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| Record created | July 12, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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