Cast Bronze Seated Buddha

This very unusual image shows the Buddha seated in sattvasana on a tiered throne with attenuated arms resting in the lap in dhyana mudra, and wearing a sanghati with the fold or pleat falling most of the way down the figure’s chest and all the way down the back.

It has some similarities to an unusual standing image of the Buddha in Pal (2003, p. 122) which is attributed to Thailand, to the Mon-Dvaravati Period – 7th-8th century.

The hands and limbs are extended and the hands are disproportionately large with the fingers being unusually long and spindly. The face is long and oval with long ears that point away from the head. The usnisha and cintimani are tall and pointy. The image itself is narrow and thin.

The platform just beneath the Buddha’s crossed legs has been incised with a repeated triangular motif.

The image shows significant wear from ritual use. There is an old rep[air to the lower back of the dais probably amending a casting flaw. This is likely to be contemporary wit the piece.

The bronze that has been used to cast this piece has a high copper content and so the hue is relatively coppery.

Overall, it is a very unusual example. It came from an old private collection in the UK.