Lot 190, Auction 4/3/2026: 17th C. Thai Ayutthaya Copper Alloy Seated Buddha

$1,430.00

In stock

Southeast Asia, Thailand, Ayutthaya period, ca. 15th to 17th century CE. An elegant copper alloy figure of Buddha seated in sattvasana atop an openwork, tripod base and scrolling foliate and rosette motifs. Wearing a sanghati with a long sash, his hands display the bhumisparsa- calling earth to witness – mudra and dhyana mudra of mediation. His serene visage is comprised of dramatically arched eyebrows, downcast eyes with delineated pupils, a broad nose, and a gentle smile, all beneath a tightly-coiled coiffure and flaming ushnisha and flanked by long ears with pendulous lobes. Size: 6.1″ L x 9.8″ W x 17.7″ H (15.5 cm x 24.9 cm x 45 cm)

The Bhumisparsha Mudra, or “Earth-Touching Gesture,” is a symbolic hand position in Buddhist iconography where the right hand reaches toward the ground, calling the earth to witness Buddha’s enlightenment. This mudra represents steadfastness, determination, and the moment when Siddhartha Gautama overcame Mara’s temptations to attain enlightenment. During the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767) in Thailand, this mudra was significant as it was commonly depicted in Buddha images and sculptures, reflecting Theravada Buddhist beliefs and royal patronage. Many Buddha statues from this era feature the Bhumisparsha Mudra, emphasizing the legitimacy of Buddhist teachings and the monarchy’s divine connection to dharma.

Condition: Some light surface wear with nicks and abrasions, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina and earthen encrustations in areas.

Provenance: private Culver City, California, USA collection, by inheritance, collected 1970s to 1980s

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