A MONUMENTAL BRONZE HEAD OF BUDDHA, SUKHOTHAI STYLE Thailand, c. 17th century. The Buddha’s slightly elongated oval face sensitively modeled with neatly incised downcast eyes, elegantly arched brows, aquiline nose, and full bow-shaped lips, flanked by pierced pendulous earlobes. The hair arranged in rows of snail-shell curls over the ushnisha culminating in a flame finial. Provenance: From a Dutch private collection. Condition: Superb condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, casting flaws, losses, nicks, scratches. The bronze has a rich, naturally grown patina with malachite encrustations. The wood base with age cracks and flaking to lacquer. Weight: 13.6 kg (incl. base) Dimensions: Height 63 cm (excl. base), 84 cm (incl. base) Mounted to a wood base. (2) Expert’s note: Thai bronzes of this size and preservation are exceptionally rare. It's challenging to imagine the immense scale of the complete sculpture to which this head belonged, probably standing at around two or three meters tall. While the head is cast in the classic Sukhothai style, there are several elements that point towards a slightly later date, including the integral flame finial. Literature comparison: Compare a related earlier bronze head of Buddha, 54 cm high, dated 14th-15th century, in the British Museum, accession number 1880.1002. Compare a related earlier bronze head of Buddha, 43 cm high, dated to the second half of the 14th century, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 54.2766.