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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

sculpture

Sculpture
7th century to 8th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This head's prominent fleshy lips and flat nose probably reflect the physiogomy of the local Mon people. The Mons were an ancient people of possible East Indian origin who were among the first in South East Asia to develop a distinctive artistic style.


Object details

Object type
Titlesculpture (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Sandstone
Brief description
Head of the Buddha, sandstone, Mon style, Thailand, 7th-8th century.
Physical description
This head, from a freestanding image of the Buddha, belongs to the Dvaravati kingddom of central Thailand. Images of the Buddha were produced in large quantities under Dvaravati patronage, both as monumnetal cult images and, as probably with this example, to decorate Buddhist architecture. Standing Buddhas were positioned in architectural niche in the manner continued in later Thai temple decoration.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.5in
Gallery label
HEAD OF THE BUDDHA Sandstone Dvaravati culture, Central Thailand Ca.7th to 8th century IS.140-1961 This head’s prominent fleshy lips and flat nose probably reflect the physiogomy of the local Mon people. The Mons were an ancient people of possible East Indian origin who were among the first in South East Asia to develop a distinctive artistic style. (1/10/2008)
Object history
Bought from Sotheby's. Formerly in the collection of Mr. J.T.Beard of New York.
Production
Dvaravati kingdom, Thailand.
Subject depicted
Summary
This head's prominent fleshy lips and flat nose probably reflect the physiogomy of the local Mon people. The Mons were an ancient people of possible East Indian origin who were among the first in South East Asia to develop a distinctive artistic style.
Bibliographic reference
For retlatyed sculpture at Wat Bencamabop'it, see P.Dupont, "L'Archaelogie Mone de Dvaravati", Paris., 1959 vol..II, pl.94. R, Le May, Buddhist Sculpture in Siam. frontispiece.
Collection
Accession number
IS.140-1961

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Record createdJuly 17, 2003
Record URL
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