About the Work

This dignified portrait of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni is exemplary of the Sukhothai school. The Sukhothai kingdom (1238-1438) settled in the central regions of present-day Thailand. Their workshops produced a highly sophisticated style to depict idealised images of Buddhist and Hindu deities, as echoed in this bronze. This portrait instils spirituality, grace, and a profound sense of inner calm, which distinguish it as a superior example of its type.

Buddha’s enlightened presence is evoked by the head’s fluid volume and pure outline. His face takes an oblong-shape, articulated by arched eyebrows and heavy-lidded downcast eyes that are subtly inclined towards his nose underlining his meditative state. This fine bronze was cast during Thailand’s Golden Age, which was a time of remarkable artistic achievement that largely formed Thailand’s cultural landscape.

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Provenance

Private collection, Haarlem, circa 1935-1976.
Venduehuis der Notarissen (founded in 1914), Haarlem, 1976.
Frits Flieger, Amsterdam, 1976.
Galerie de Ruimte, Eersel, 1976-1977.
Leo Geeris, The Netherlands, 1977-2023.
Linda José van der Most, 2023.

Literature

J. Nies and M. Nies, with an introduction by Dr. J. van Lohuizen-de Leeuw, Sculpture from Cambodia and Thailand, Gallery the Ruimte, Eersel, 1977, no.48.

M. Nies, Boeddhistische Kunst, India, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand en Cambodya, Galerie de Ruimte, Eersel, 1981, p.67.