Central Thailand – Mon-Dvāravatī tradition A copper alloy, traditionally described as bronze. Buddha Śākyamuni standing in bronze – double vitarka mudrā - 26.5 cm
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€ 1,100
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 2,600 - € 3,500
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Original bronze standing Buddha Śākyamuni with double vitarkamudrā, Mon-Dvāravatī style from central Thailand, 8th–9th century, height 26.5 cm, width 8 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important bronze standing Buddha Śākyamuni, central Thailand, Mon–Dvāravatī tradition, 8th–9th century.
The figure stands frontally, in a calm, perfectly balanced attitude. Both arms are thrust forward and the hands raised perform simultaneously the vitarkamudrā, a gesture of teaching and exposition of Buddhist doctrine. This symmetrical use of the gesture by the two hands is one of the most distinctive iconographic features of Dvāravatī sculpture in central Thailand.
The Buddha presents the essential characteristics of this tradition: a broad face with powerfully stylized features, downcast eyes, full lips, long ears with pendulous lobes, hair composed of large individualized curls and a conical uṣṇīṣa. The monastic robe, very thin and treated almost without folds, closely embraces the body before descending to above the ankles, producing that sober and almost abstract silhouette characteristic of Dvāravatī aesthetics. Murphy precisely describes for this group the heavy curls, the conical or hemispherical uṣṇīṣa, the highly stylized and diaphanous robe, and the double vitarkamudrā.
Both palms bear circular markings associated with the Buddha’s auspicious signs. Under the feet remains also an element of the casting system, an interesting testimony to cire perdue (lost-wax) sculpture making.
The bronze retains an attractive and complex ancient patina, mixing greens, reddish-brown, and whitish mineral deposits. Corrosion and incrustations develop differently in exposed and protected areas, notably at the hair, hands, robe, and under the feet. Macroscopic examination revealed no features suggesting artificial recent patination; overall, it is compatible with a long sojourn buried in a ground environment.
The sculpture is remarkably complete for its age: head, two arms, two hands and their mudrās, clothing, legs and feet are preserved. Old wear, corrosion, casting irregularities, and small abrasions on reliefs are present and coherent with the work’s age. No structural damage or major restoration is visible.
Provenance: former private collection Jean Dumoulin, Belgium; acquired in Bangkok in the mid-1990s. A signed provenance declaration accompanies the piece.
Dimensions: H. 26.5 cm without base; 27.2 cm with base.
Weight: 847 g without base; 1,086 g with base.
Modern base included.
The attribution and dating are based on stylistic, iconographic, technical and macroscopic examination of the work, and its comparison with scientific literature and museum corpora relating to Dvāravatī art. No instrumental analyses (XRF, radiography, metallography) have been performed, as these investigations would be disproportionate to the commercial positioning of the piece. A certificate of authenticity and detailed attribution accompanies the sculpture.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8uaw6pt2fer33p3w99xka/AHU3quflI_F7aVzutz0-9a4?rlkey=yr1c4enpwpy2i99t7zybnir59&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateImportant bronze standing Buddha Śākyamuni, central Thailand, Mon–Dvāravatī tradition, 8th–9th century.
The figure stands frontally, in a calm, perfectly balanced attitude. Both arms are thrust forward and the hands raised perform simultaneously the vitarkamudrā, a gesture of teaching and exposition of Buddhist doctrine. This symmetrical use of the gesture by the two hands is one of the most distinctive iconographic features of Dvāravatī sculpture in central Thailand.
The Buddha presents the essential characteristics of this tradition: a broad face with powerfully stylized features, downcast eyes, full lips, long ears with pendulous lobes, hair composed of large individualized curls and a conical uṣṇīṣa. The monastic robe, very thin and treated almost without folds, closely embraces the body before descending to above the ankles, producing that sober and almost abstract silhouette characteristic of Dvāravatī aesthetics. Murphy precisely describes for this group the heavy curls, the conical or hemispherical uṣṇīṣa, the highly stylized and diaphanous robe, and the double vitarkamudrā.
Both palms bear circular markings associated with the Buddha’s auspicious signs. Under the feet remains also an element of the casting system, an interesting testimony to cire perdue (lost-wax) sculpture making.
The bronze retains an attractive and complex ancient patina, mixing greens, reddish-brown, and whitish mineral deposits. Corrosion and incrustations develop differently in exposed and protected areas, notably at the hair, hands, robe, and under the feet. Macroscopic examination revealed no features suggesting artificial recent patination; overall, it is compatible with a long sojourn buried in a ground environment.
The sculpture is remarkably complete for its age: head, two arms, two hands and their mudrās, clothing, legs and feet are preserved. Old wear, corrosion, casting irregularities, and small abrasions on reliefs are present and coherent with the work’s age. No structural damage or major restoration is visible.
Provenance: former private collection Jean Dumoulin, Belgium; acquired in Bangkok in the mid-1990s. A signed provenance declaration accompanies the piece.
Dimensions: H. 26.5 cm without base; 27.2 cm with base.
Weight: 847 g without base; 1,086 g with base.
Modern base included.
The attribution and dating are based on stylistic, iconographic, technical and macroscopic examination of the work, and its comparison with scientific literature and museum corpora relating to Dvāravatī art. No instrumental analyses (XRF, radiography, metallography) have been performed, as these investigations would be disproportionate to the commercial positioning of the piece. A certificate of authenticity and detailed attribution accompanies the sculpture.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8uaw6pt2fer33p3w99xka/AHU3quflI_F7aVzutz0-9a4?rlkey=yr1c4enpwpy2i99t7zybnir59&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Central Thailand – Mon-Dvāravatī tradition
Century/timeframe
VIIIe–IXe siècle apr. J.-C. | Période Dvāravatī
Name of object
Buddha Śākyamuni standing in bronze – double vitarka mudrā
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
1995
Material
A copper alloy, traditionally described as bronze.
Country acquired from
Thailand
Condition
Good overall condition considering the age and the complexity of the work.
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
26.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2020
Width
8 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
5.5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
