{"product_id":"thai-sukhothai-bronze-buddha-head-14th-15th-century-ce","title":"Thai Bronze Head of Buddha Shakyamuni | Circa 14th – 15th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sukhothai, Thailand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast bronze \/ copper alloy with naturally developed patina\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sukhothai Period, circa 14th–15th century CE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elegant bronze head of Buddha Shakyamuni, attributed to the Sukhothai period of Thailand, circa 14th–15th century CE. The sculpture embodies the highly refined Buddhist aesthetic that emerged under the Sukhothai kingdom and became one of the defining artistic traditions of medieval Thailand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Buddha is represented with a serene, elongated face, gently downcast almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, a long slender nose, subtly modeled lips, and elongated earlobes. The head is covered by numerous small, tightly arranged curls rising toward the prominent \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e, or cranial protuberance, above which extends the characteristic flame-like finial associated with Sukhothai images of the Buddha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese features find strong parallels in documented Sukhothai bronze sculpture. The British Museum describes comparable 14th–15th century heads as having pointed elongated ears, an oval head, partially veiled eyes, arched brows, stylized lips, curled hair, an \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e, and originally a flame finial. The Metropolitan Museum of Art likewise dates a bronze Buddha head from Sukhothai to the 14th–15th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface is particularly attractive, displaying extensive naturally varied patination in shades of deep brown, reddish-brown, green, and verdigris. The textured oxidation emphasizes the sculptural contours while giving the head the archaeological character expected of an object of considerable age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally belonging to a larger devotional image, the surviving head is now professionally presented on a custom black display stand, allowing it to be viewed as an independent sculptural work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Distinctive elongated flame finial above the \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dense pattern of individually modeled hair curls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Downcast eyes and refined, meditative facial expression\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Characteristic elongated earlobes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Extensive green, brown and reddish natural patination\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Fragment from an originally larger Buddhist sculpture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Presented on a custom-built display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Strong stylistic parallels with Sukhothai examples preserved in major museum collections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sukhothai period represents one of the most celebrated chapters in the history of Thai Buddhist art. Sculptors developed an idealized representation of the Buddha distinguished by graceful proportions, elongated facial features, contemplative eyes and a flame emerging from the \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e. LACMA describes the Sukhothai Buddha type as a distinctive style developed in Thailand during the 14th century and one that remained enormously influential in subsequent Thai Buddhist art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flame finial is particularly associated with Sukhothai sculpture. The Walters Art Museum notes that this flame-like element rises from the \u003cem\u003eushnisha\u003c\/em\u003e and may symbolize the supernatural wisdom attained by the Buddha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood ancient condition consistent with age and archaeological character. Extensive surface oxidation, mineral accretion, encrustation, areas of verdigris and variegated brown, red and green patination are present throughout. Expected surface wear, losses and irregularities are visible. The head survives as a fragment of a larger bronze Buddha sculpture. The upper flame finial exhibits age-related wear and loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 7 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 3.5 in\u003cbr\u003eHeight on stand: 8.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e500–700 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEx-Breezewood Museum \/ Breezewood Foundation Collection. The Breezewood Foundation was associated with the important collection of Southeast Asian art assembled by scholar and collector Alexander B. Griswold, a major figure in the study and collecting of Thai Buddhist sculpture. Sold through Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Subsequently purchased in 2015 from James Stephenson African Art, Brooklyn\/New York, USA. James Stephenson is a New York private dealer specializing primarily in traditional African sculpture and ethnographic material.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplore a related Thai bronze \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/828457\" title=\"Head of Buddha Shakyamuni | The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eHead of Buddha Shakyamuni\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/buddhist-and-hindu-relics-sacred-statues\" title=\"Buddhist and Hindu Relics: Sacred Statues – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Buddhist and Hindu Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55887524659522,"sku":null,"price":3500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-08-20T210405.437.png?v=1787274273","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/thai-sukhothai-bronze-buddha-head-14th-15th-century-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}