{"product_id":"lan-na-bronze-buddha-northern-thailand-15th-16th-century","title":"Northern Thai Lan Na Bronze Seated Buddha in Earth-Touching Mudra | Circa 15th – 16th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Thailand, Lan Na cultural sphere\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lost-wax cast bronze or copper alloy with naturally developed brown and green patina\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attributed to the Lan Na period, circa 15th–16th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA finely proportioned Northern Thai bronze devotional figure representing Shakyamuni Buddha seated in \u003cem\u003emaravijaya\u003c\/em\u003e, the posture commemorating his victory over Mara and attainment of enlightenment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Buddha sits cross-legged upon a low integral base. His right hand descends over the knee in \u003cem\u003ebhumisparsha mudra\u003c\/em\u003e, the earth-touching gesture, while his left hand rests palm upward within his lap in the gesture of meditation. The close-fitting monastic robe passes diagonally across the torso and covers the left shoulder while leaving the right shoulder exposed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe face is modeled with gently downcast eyes, high curving eyebrows, a broad nose, softly defined lips, and an expression of composed introspection. Elongated earlobes recall the heavy royal ornaments relinquished by Siddhartha when he abandoned palace life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly distinctive is the elaborate treatment of the Buddha’s head. Large snail-shell curls rise in pronounced tiers toward a rounded, orb-like finial. This is not a royal crown, but a highly stylized representation of the Buddha’s curled hair and \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e—the cranial protuberance symbolizing transcendent wisdom. Oversized curls, a rounded finial, a compact body, and the earth-touching posture are characteristic of early Chiang Saen and Lan Na sculptural traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure was hollow cast, probably through the lost-wax process. The open underside retains accretions and possible remnants associated with the casting core. Its richly mottled surface displays deep brown and green patination, areas of verdigris, and pale mineral deposits accumulated over an extended period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Representation of Shakyamuni Buddha\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Traditional \u003cem\u003emaravijaya\u003c\/em\u003e seated posture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Right hand in earth-touching \u003cem\u003ebhumisparsha mudra\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Left hand resting in meditative \u003cem\u003edhyana mudra\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Large snail-shell curls arranged in tiered formation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rounded \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e finial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Elongated earlobes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Diagonally draped monastic robe\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Low integral seated base\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Hollow lost-wax cast construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Substantial brown-green patina and mineral accretions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical \u0026amp; Cultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lan Na Kingdom of northern Thailand became an important center of Theravada Buddhist scholarship, temple construction, and bronze casting. Workshops around Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen developed a distinctive interpretation of the Buddha characterized by powerful compact bodies, rounded facial features, prominent hair curls, and lotus-bud or orb-shaped finials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe earth-touching gesture refers to the defining moment immediately before the Buddha’s enlightenment. When Mara challenged his spiritual authority, the Buddha extended his right hand toward the ground and called upon the earth to witness the accumulated merit of his previous lives. The earth responded, confirming his worthiness and defeating Mara’s forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImages portraying this event were installed within temples, placed upon household altars, or carried as personal devotional objects. Their presence encouraged meditation while serving as a visual reminder that perseverance, wisdom, and moral conduct can overcome illusion and suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood antique condition with extensive surface characteristics consistent with considerable age. The bronze displays a dark brown and green patina with pronounced verdigris, pale mineral deposits, oxidation, and areas of encrustation. Additional wear includes rubbing, scratches, pitting, casting irregularities, softened details, and minor losses or unevenness along the base and exposed high points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside remains open and contains accretions and possible casting-core remnants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 5.25 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 3.5 in\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 2.25 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e425–625 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperty from the Preiser Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection is associated with Dr. Franklin M. Preiser (1937–2022) of Arizona, a long-standing collector of Asian art. Works from the collection subsequently passed by descent before its later dispersal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently handled by Andrew Jones Auctions of Los Angeles, a full-service auction and appraisal firm specializing in fine art, antiques, and Asian works of art. The auction house is supported by specialists with extensive international experience and regularly presents diverse collections and estates spanning several centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eView a related 15th-century Thai bronze seated Buddha in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/63532\" title=\"Thai Bronze Seated Buddha – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/buddhist-and-hindu-relics-sacred-statues\" title=\"Buddhist and Hindu Relics and Sacred Statues – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Buddhist \u0026amp; Hindu Relics and Sacred Statues\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56014364967234,"sku":null,"price":1250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_20.jpg?v=1788522303","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/lan-na-bronze-buddha-northern-thailand-15th-16th-century","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}