Laos – Kingdom of Lan Xang, influence of Ayutthaya A copper alloy, traditionally described as bronze. Standing Shakyamuni Buddha in bronze. - 58.5 cm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 12,000 - € 14,000
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Bronze Standing Śākyamuni Buddha attributed to the Lan Xang kingdom with Ayutthaya influence, late 17th century to early 18th century, height 58.5 cm, width 25 cm, depth 9 cm, dark brown patina with green oxides, two hands missing with the right likely in abhaya mudrā, provenance Sotheby’s New York 1986 and later in a private American collection.
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Description from the seller
Important standing bronze Buddha Śākyamuni, attributable to the Lan Xang kingdom, within the Lao sphere, probably the Vientiane region, and displaying a pronounced stylistic influence from Ayutthaya.
This sculpture is distinguished by a relatively rare stylistic combination: it combines frontal presentation, body architecture and certain garment characteristics linked to Ayutthaya vocabulary with a face, coiffure and expression that sit far more naturally within the Lan Xang tradition. Recent research on Lan Xang bronzes has precisely highlighted the existence of high-level productions incorporating influences from Ayutthaya, notably in the royal workshops.
The piece is linked to an important standing Buddha conserved at the Walters Art Museum, attributed to Laos and dated to the 17th–18th centuries, for which Hiram W. Woodward contemplates a creation under Surinyavongsa in the 17th century. This comparison, together with other stylistic and technical elements, supports a probable dating for the present sculpture in the second half of the 17th century, with a possible margin extending to the early 18th century.
Provenance is one of the strong points of the dossier. The sculpture is documented as early as 1986 at Sotheby’s New York, where it appears in Lot 342 of the sale of September 25–26. It was subsequently photographed around 1988 in the private American collection of Richard B. Desmond. This early market and collection documentation greatly strengthens the work’s interest.
The Buddha preserves a beautiful dark bronze patina with localized green oxides. The two hands are old missing, as they were already at Sotheby’s sale of 1986. The arrangement of the arms suggests a right hand probably raised in abhaya mudrā, while the left hand was lowered. A deliberate hollow at the top of the uṣṇīṣa also indicates that a rim or added floral typically would have completed the figure.
Because of its format, the quality of its casting, its ancient provenance and especially this uncommon meeting between Lan Xang tradition and Ayutthaya influence, this sculpture constitutes a particularly interesting and rare example of Mekong basin Buddhist statuary at the end of the 17th century.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jv2dtvla2xr7zwfsqhn7m/AC4BZ77NsNMC7Ie3GLEWobQ?rlkey=yfal0heqp4evz9ehdyugdllmj&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 standing bronze Buddha Śākyamuni, attributable to the Lan Xang kingdom, within the Lao sphere, probably the Vientiane region, and displaying a pronounced stylistic influence from Ayutthaya.
This sculpture is distinguished by a relatively rare stylistic combination: it combines frontal presentation, body architecture and certain garment characteristics linked to Ayutthaya vocabulary with a face, coiffure and expression that sit far more naturally within the Lan Xang tradition. Recent research on Lan Xang bronzes has precisely highlighted the existence of high-level productions incorporating influences from Ayutthaya, notably in the royal workshops.
The piece is linked to an important standing Buddha conserved at the Walters Art Museum, attributed to Laos and dated to the 17th–18th centuries, for which Hiram W. Woodward contemplates a creation under Surinyavongsa in the 17th century. This comparison, together with other stylistic and technical elements, supports a probable dating for the present sculpture in the second half of the 17th century, with a possible margin extending to the early 18th century.
Provenance is one of the strong points of the dossier. The sculpture is documented as early as 1986 at Sotheby’s New York, where it appears in Lot 342 of the sale of September 25–26. It was subsequently photographed around 1988 in the private American collection of Richard B. Desmond. This early market and collection documentation greatly strengthens the work’s interest.
The Buddha preserves a beautiful dark bronze patina with localized green oxides. The two hands are old missing, as they were already at Sotheby’s sale of 1986. The arrangement of the arms suggests a right hand probably raised in abhaya mudrā, while the left hand was lowered. A deliberate hollow at the top of the uṣṇīṣa also indicates that a rim or added floral typically would have completed the figure.
Because of its format, the quality of its casting, its ancient provenance and especially this uncommon meeting between Lan Xang tradition and Ayutthaya influence, this sculpture constitutes a particularly interesting and rare example of Mekong basin Buddhist statuary at the end of the 17th century.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jv2dtvla2xr7zwfsqhn7m/AC4BZ77NsNMC7Ie3GLEWobQ?rlkey=yfal0heqp4evz9ehdyugdllmj&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
Laos – Kingdom of Lan Xang, influence of Ayutthaya
Century/timeframe
Seconde moitié du XVIIe siècle, au début du XVIIIe siècle – période tardive du Lan Xang
Name of object
Standing Shakyamuni Buddha in bronze.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
1986
Material
A copper alloy, traditionally described as bronze.
Country acquired from
United States
Condition
Good overall condition
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
58.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1988
Width
25 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
United States
Depth
9 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.
