A KHMER GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA MUCALINDA, NAGA PROK, ANGKOR PERIOD Khmer Empire, later 12th century to earlier 13th century. Cast with Buddha seated on the coiled naga on a flat hollow base, the seven-headed cobra rising to form a mandorla, the face with a serene expression, almond eyes and a benevolent smile. Note the finely incised details, especially on the snake's back! Provenance: From the collection of Josette and Theo Schulmann, Paris, France, acquired between 1960 and 1970. Condition: Good condition with extensive wear, casting flaws and a fine patina with some verdigris, unsealed, minimal nibbling to edges. Weight: 833.3 g Dimensions: Height 19.4 cm Mucalinda, also Muchalinda or Mucilinda, is the name of a naga sheltering the Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment. When a storm raged and torrential rain fell for a whole week, the king of the nagas, Muchalinda, rose from the earth, coiling its body to form a seat and swelled its great hood to shelter Buddha. When the great storm had cleared, the serpent king assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha, and returned to his palace. Seven-headed nagas are often depicted as guardian statues, carved as balustrades on causeways leading to main Cambodian temples, such as those found in Angkor Wat.