G762 A STANDING BRONZE BUDDHA

LAOS, FROM THE VICINITY OF LUANG PRABANG

16^TH – 17^TH CENTURY

H. 33 CMS, 13 INS

An important bronze figure of Buddha with an attractive deep green patina, standing on a square pedestal decorated with lotus leaves, both arms pendant by the sides in the ‘Calling for Rain’ posture, his usnisha formed of pointed curls and topped by a lotus finial, the eyes half closed and the face meditative and serene, wearing an ankle length sanghati with a broad belt and central pleat, the base with a dedicatory inscription.

The Laotian kingdom of Lan Xang or Lan Chang was established during the 14^th century and ruled by Thais. Its northern capital of Luang Prabang was subjected to cultural influences from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, while its southern capital, Vientiane, absorbed Khmer and Ayutthaya (Thai) motifs.

For a related Buddha from Wat Hoh Phra Kaew, Vientiane please see p.189 in S. Lopetcharat, Lao Buddha: The Image and Its History, Bangkok: Siam International Book Company, 2000.

Provenance: From a collection in the West of England.

Previously in a private French collection