Antique U Thong Bronze Buddha Head Thailand

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Bronze fragment of a Buddha head in classic U-Thong style on a wood display stand circa 13-15th century from Central … Read more Bronze fragment of a Buddha head in classic U-Thong style on a wood display stand circa 13-15th century from Central Thailand Southeast Asia. U-Thong Buddha image flourished when Khmer influence was diminishing during the early rise of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The style was influenced by previous and contemporary styles in the region such as Mon-Dvaravati and Khmer-Lopburi traditions as well as Sukhothai style.
This Buddha statue displays the typical characteristics of early U Thong iconography: a small band separates the hairline and the forehead. The head features small and pointy curls. The face of the Buddha is prominently square with a stern expression with the smile hardly discernible. The facial features show a strong Mon and Khmer influences, including wide and flat nostrils, defined chin, thick lips and heavy-lidded eyes. During the early period of the U-Thong style, the Ushnisha (the prominent bump on the top of Buddha's head) was fashioned in the shape of a lotus bud, such as in this statue, which helps the dating of the piece. In later period (with more Sukhothai influence), it was increasingly replaced by an elongated flame. The eyes are cast downward and not inlaid, as often the case with images of the later Ayutthaya period.
The Buddha head is fixed on the original wood stand, which shows patina and wear such as some filled crack lines and small edge chips. The bronze is in a lovely condition with a dark oily patina. An old paper label with a red seal remains on the back as shown that dates the piece to 11-12th century, but 13-15th century may be more accurate in our opinion.
The height of the bronze head only is 8". See less