Laos – Kingdom of Lan Xang Lost-wax cast bronze

Important bronze sculpture representing Buddha Śākyamuni seated in bhūmisparśamudrā, the earth-touching gesture at the moment of Enlightenment. The right hand descends gracefully toward the knee while the left rests in the lap. The Buddha is depicted seated on a substantial stepped architectural base, adorned with an incised lotus petal register. The face, serene and balanced, features half-closed eyes, an elongated nose, slightly smiling lips and long ears. The hair is composed of small tight curls and the uṣṇīṣa is crowned with a floral ornament. The sculpture belongs to the Lan Xang Lao kingdom tradition, while preserving a strong influence from the Lanna/Chiang Saen sculpture, particularly noticeable in the treatment of the face, the coiffure and the proportions. This stylistic synthesis is characteristic of the very important artistic exchanges that linked the north of Thailand and Laos in the 16th and 17th centuries. The sobriety of the saṃghāti, whose straight panel descends across the chest, the powerful frontal construction of the figure and the monumental base allow this work to be placed in Lao production from the late 16th or the first half of the 17th century, probably around 1580–1650. The sculpture was made using the traditional hollow cire perdue (lost-wax) technique. The interior retains traces of the core casting as well as ancient oxidations. The surface presents a deep brown-black patina, an old lacquer layer and traces of gilding. Despite the usual marks of its considerable age, the overall monumentality remains remarkable, reinforced by its 41.5 cm height and its weight exceeding 5 kg. The quality of the modeling, the preservation of the original base and the particularly harmonious balance of the silhouette make it a fine example of the great Buddhist statuary of the Lan Xang kingdom. An old repair is visible on the base and the summit fleur-de-lis is a later replacement. These elements are documented and compatible with the work’s material history. Provenance: old provenance from the French art market; acquired on the European art market in 2022. A certificate of authenticity and detailed study accompanies the work. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/zmqdyo0ye4qvo1m32v5qz/AJ2WVpplDXpNHJ06-Gw3fiE?rlkey=0wcp5tpkjcrem4wet36k0uz1v&dl=0

Estimate:£4,661.87

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