THAILAND, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY 7.5 cm (3 in.) high, the smallest; 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.) high, the largestFootnotes泰國 大城時期 約十六世紀 水晶佛教藝術雕像一組 Considered one of 'seven treasures' (saptaratnas) in Buddhist material culture, rock crystal's translucency connotes an ability to retain and emanate spiritual energy. One of Thailand's most sacred Buddha images, the Phra Kaeo Setangkha Mani in Chiang Mai, is carved from the prized medium (Stratton, Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand, 2004, p.83, 132 & 275). This relatively large collection infers a wealthy patron and includes three Buddha images wearing robes in the Ayutthaya style. A number of small rock crystal sculptures are also in the collection of the National Museum, Bangkok. Published: Eberhard Rist and Meinrad Maria Grewenig, Buddha: 2000 years of Buddhist Art, 232 Masterpieces, 2016, pp.272-5, nos.107-11 (5 of 6). Exhibited: Buddha: 2000 years of Buddhist Art, 232 Masterpieces, Weltkulturerbe Völklinger Hütte, Völklingen, 25 June 2016 - 19 February 2017 (5 of 6). Provenance: Private Collection, United Kingdom