Figure thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Buddhism, Room 47f, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Galleries of Buddhist Art

Figure

15th century-16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This tall, graceful figure of the Buddha stands with his right hand raised in the gesture of giving freedom from fear, the abhaya mudra. It was made in Ayutthaya, then capital of Thailand. The Buddha stands on a lotus pedestal, and his left hand parallels the folds of his robes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Copper rich alloy, with traces of gilding, polychromy and mother of pearl
Brief description
Standing figure of the Buddha, copper alloy, North central Thailand, Ayutthaya period, 15th-16th century.
Physical description
Standing figure of the Buddha in a grand, dignified and monumental design. The Buddha has his proper right-hand raised in the gesture of reassurance (abhayamudra), while his left hand parallels the folds of his robes.The forms are slightly elongated, adding to the understated sensousness of the figure. He stands raised on a lotus base, with beautifully raised petals.
Dimensions
  • Height: 119cm
  • Width: 58cm
  • Depth: 30cm
  • Weight: 290kg
Gallery label
  • Buddha Shakyamuni 1475–1525 Ayutthaya, Thailand Gilded copper with coloured glass In Theravada Buddhism there is an emphasis on the Buddha Shakyamuni. This type of standing figure was popular in Thai and Burmese art. The Buddha stands with his right hand raised in the gesture of giving freedom from fear (abhaya mudra). The figure was made in Ayutthaya, then the wealthy and cosmopolitan capital of Thailand. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Henry Moore Foundation Museum no. IS.11-1996 1475–1525(1/4/2009)
  • Standing Buddha 1400–1600 The Buddha stands with his right hand raised in the gesture of granting freedom from fear (abhaya mudra). This symbolises divine protection being given to the worshipper. The lotus on which he stands represents his purity and that of his teachings. The figure was made in the former capital Ayutthaya at the height of the Thai kingdom’s power and prosperity. It exemplifies the beauty of the images created there at this time. Ayutthaya, Thailand Gilded copper, coloured glass Museum no. IS.11-1996 1400–1600(03/08/2015)
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, and the assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Henry Moore Foundation
Historical context
Purchased with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund, The National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Henry Moore Foundation for the sum of £79629.66p. from Gallery De Ruimte/ Jean Nies, Nieuwstraat 63, 5521 CB Eersel, Netherlands.
Production
North central Thailand, Ayutthaya period.
Summary
This tall, graceful figure of the Buddha stands with his right hand raised in the gesture of giving freedom from fear, the abhaya mudra. It was made in Ayutthaya, then capital of Thailand. The Buddha stands on a lotus pedestal, and his left hand parallels the folds of his robes.
Bibliographic reference
H. Munsterberg, The Art of India and Southeast Asia, New York, Abrams, 1970, p.224. Enzyklopadie der Weltkunst, Die Kunst Asiens, Holle, p.4554 Clarke, John: Arts of Asia, vol. 45, no. 5, September - October 2015, "The Buddha image in Asia: Phase One of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Galleries of Buddhist Art", p.118, pl. 10.
Collection
Accession number
IS.11-1996

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Record createdMay 29, 2003
Record URL
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