A 24-CARAT GOLD REPOUSSÉ FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, AYUTTHAYA STYLE Thailand, 19th century. Seated in dhyanasana atop a finely chased, hammered and tiered base with lotus designs as well as beaded edges and diapered borders. His right hand is lowered in bhumisparsa mudra and his left is resting on his lap. He is dressed in neatly incised monastic robes. The serene face with almond-shaped eyes and a benevolent smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair in tight curls surmounted by a flaming ushnisha.

Provenance: A notable private collector in Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
Condition: Very good condition with old wear, few small tears, minor dents and nicks.

Weight: 697.7 g
Dimensions: Height 19 cm, Width 16.5 cm

The core inlaid with pieces of gold. The back fitted with two gilt metal hooks.

Expert’s Note: This pristinely modeled Buddha was fashioned from a sheet of 24-carat gold, using the repoussé embossing technique, neatly modeled above an ancient resin or bitumen core. The style is typical of the last phase of Khmer art (9th-15th centuries), the Lopburi style, which combines characteristics of both Cambodian and Thai sculptural schools. Statues made of pure gold, dating back to this era, are generally considered as rare.

Literature comparison: Compare a Ayutthaya Lopburi-style gold repoussé Buddha, dated before 1424, but of smaller size (10.6 cm high), in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, accession number 1999.316. 5% or 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.