sculpture
Sculpture
16th century-17th century (made)
16th century-17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The style of this Buddha head shows that it was made in the Lan Na kingdom in present day northern Thailand. Lan Na flourished most fully between the 13th and 16th centuries though it remained independent from Thailand until 1897.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | sculpture (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | copper alloy, Ayutthaya style. |
| Brief description | Seated Buddha calling the earth to witness, copper alloy, Central Thailand, 16th-17th century. |
| Physical description | Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa mudra on lotus pedestal; ushnisa surmounted by a smooth ball. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | SEATED BUDDHA
Gilt bronze gilt
Lan Na kingdom, Northern Thailand
16th-17th century
IM 90-1958
The Buddha Sakyamuni is shown at the moment of his Enlightenment and victory over Mara, the embodiment of death. His right hand reaches down in to the ground in bhumisparsa mudra, calling on the Earth Goddess to witness his worthiness to attain enlightenment.
(1/10/2008) |
| Object history | Theravada Buddhism in Thailand adopted this form as its most popular image of the Buddha. It represents the moment in the Buddha's life when he succeeds in transcending the temptations and wrathful distractions sent by Mara, the embodimant of Evil. The Buddha touches the Earth, calling on its to bear witness to his resistance. The posture is called bhumiparsa-mudra ("touching the earth"), and in Thailand is often referred to as maravijaya (" victory over Mara"). |
| Historical context | From Mrs. R.H.Carlisle, Camberley, Surrey. |
| Production | Central Thailand |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The style of this Buddha head shows that it was made in the Lan Na kingdom in present day northern Thailand. Lan Na flourished most fully between the 13th and 16th centuries though it remained independent from Thailand until 1897. |
| Bibliographic reference | Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7
p. 95 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.90-1958 |
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| Record created | July 17, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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