A LIFESIZE BRONZE HAND OF BUDDHA, AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM Thailand, 15^th-17^th century. Cast with thin and elongated fingers neatly detailed with nails and creases, finely modeled in the vitarka mudra which represents the gesture of debate, the palm with a raised design of a stylized floral blossom with circular petals to the center.

Provenance: From a private collection in South Carolina, USA.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, casting flaws, small nicks, remnants of gilt. Fine, dark patina.

Weight: 1,232 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 23.3 cm

Mounted to a wood stand. (2)

The vitarka mudra symbolizes teaching and discussion. It shows the transmission of knowledge and insight, gained after reaching enlightenment.

Expert's note: The present lot is a rare example of a Buddhist figure's hand due to its unusually large size. The hand of a Thai Buddhist standing figure from the period is approximately 10-15% the size of the total figure, if not less. According to this conservative estimate, the figure the present hand once belonged to would have had a total height of approximately 160 cm or more.

Literature comparison:
Compare two related earlier Thai bronze hands, dated to the 14^th century, in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, accession numbers 1994-148-771 and 1994-148-770. Note that the fingernails are already detailed on these hands, whereas the creases between the joints (as found on the present lot) are not.