A SANDSTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI Thailand, Mon Dvaravati period, 8^th-9^th century. The face with a serene expression, downcast eyes below arched eyebrows, a long nose above full lips, the face surmounted by an ushnisha with tight curls, flanked by two elongated earlobes.

Provenance: Rachel Chemoul, Ethnic Design Inc., Miami, Florida. Geoffroy Michel Vanderweerden, Belgium, acquired from the above in 2004. A copy of a signed provenance letter, dated 19 May 2022, confirming the above provenance, accompanies this lot.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, small chips, scratches, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, few minor cracks.

Weight: 10.5 kg
Dimensions: Height 31.7 cm (incl. stand), 26 cm (excl. stand)

Mounted to an associated metal stand. (2)

The Dvaravati images of Buddha were heavily influenced by contemporaneous Indian sculptural styles, including Gupta. Compared to earlier and later Thai kingdoms, Dvaravati was relatively geographically and economically isolated, which contributed to the distinct qualities of its sculpture, such as the arched eyebrows, the broad, squared face, and the full, prominent lips. Additionally, the local stone was tough and difficult to work with, leading artists to prefer thick, strong features over softness and subtlety.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related head of Buddha, dated to the 8^th century, Thailand, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1983.13. Compare a related limestone head of Buddha, dated to the 8^th-9^th century, Thailand, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1963,1016.1.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Paris, 13 June 2018, lot 239
Price: EUR 15,000 or approx. EUR 17,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A stone head of buddha Shakyamuni, Thailand, Dvaravati period, 6^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related facial features and tight curls. Note the slightly larger size (32 cm).