SEATED ARHAT IN THE STYLE OF BUDDHASEATED ARHAT IN THE STYLE OF BUDDHAGilt bronzeSiam, Ratanakosin, c. 1800Opulently wrought bronze in Ratanakosin-style, which became the dominant style after the destruction of Ayutthya in 1767 and the founding of a new royal city (today Bangkok), whose name was, among others, Ratanakosindra. This bronze shows an arhat (student of the Buddha, and/or monk) on a three-tiered throne in paryankasana, holding a small vessel with the elixir of life in one hand while the other suggests the gesture of “earth-touching”, the bhumisparsha mudra as performed by the Buddha before his enlightenment. Above all, the hands, body and head form show clear traces of the Ayutthya tradition. The facial features are very noble in their execution and his robe features rich, fine decoration, as on the throne with its rows of pointed, vertically flaming pearls. Across the front of his torso he wears a sash. In addition to the gilding, inlays were also made of glass. Decoration on the back as well, though the halo is missing.Dimensions: HEIGHT 38.2 CMCondition: Good, complete conditionProvenance: Austrian private collection