150 - SEATED BRONZE BUDDHA THAILAND RATTANAKOSIN 1850'S

SEATED BRONZE BUDDHA THAILAND RATTANAKOSIN 1850'S Dimensions: Height 25 cm Wide 16 cm Depth 9 cm Weight: 1349 grams A richly gilt Thai bronze Buddha seated in meditation on a high stepped pedestal. The figure wears an elaborate crown and princely ornaments, with flame-like elements rising around the shoulders and a tall finial extending above the head. The hands are arranged in meditation before the body, while remnants of red lacquer beneath the gilding add warmth to the strongly architectural base. Rattanakosin-period Buddhist sculpture frequently embraced a deliberately sumptuous visual language. Crowned Buddhas evoke the concept of the Buddha as universal sovereign, uniting spiritual authority with the appearance of royal splendour. Gilding, lacquer and densely worked ornament were particularly effective in temple interiors, where reflected light gave such images a vivid sacred presence. Here the upright triangular composition is carefully balanced by the broad stepped throne. Wear to the gilding and surface accretions reveal layers of use and age without diminishing the commanding ceremonial character of the image.