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Sculpture - sculpture

sculpture

  • Object:

    Sculpture

  • Date:

    16th century-17th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    copper alloy, Ayutthaya style.

  • Museum number:

    IS.90-1958

  • Gallery location:

    South-East Asia, room 47a, case 1

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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.

Physical description

Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa mudra on lotus pedestal; ushnisa surmounted by a smooth ball.

Date

16th century-17th century (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

copper alloy, Ayutthaya style.

Dimensions

Height: 42.5 cm

Object history note

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 note

From Mrs. R.H.Carlisle, Camberley, Surrey.

Descriptive line

Seated Buddha calling the earth to witness, copper alloy, Central Thailand, 16th-17th century.

Production Note

Central Thailand

Subjects depicted

Buddhism

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O82512
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