Thailand – Kingdom of Ayutthaya Bronze / copper alloy Large bronze-crowned head of the Buddha Śākyamuni – Phra Chao Song Khrueang - 24 cm
11
days
12
hours
25
minutes
47
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Current bid
€ 450
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 4,000 - € 5,500
 | €450 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €320 | |
| €300 |
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Bronze-copper alloy crowned Śākyamuni Buddha head from Ayutthaya dating to the late 17th–early 18th century, titled Grande tête de Buddha Śākyamuni couronné en bronze – Phra Chao Song Khrueang, about 24 cm high (23 cm without the base) and roughly 6 kg, authenticated as Original/officiel with a MIMOSA SA certificate and acquired in 2024 from Europe via an auction house, with the previous owner having acquired it from Belgium; in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important and expressive crowned head of Śākyamuni Buddha in bronze, belonging to Thai iconography of Phra Chao Song Khrueang, depicting the Buddha adorned with the attributes and ornaments of royal sovereignty.
The work is linked to the Ayutthaya kingdom tradition and can be stylistically placed at the end of the 17th – beginning of the 18th century, a period during which representations of the crowned Buddha reached a high degree of decorative sophistication.
The face, particularly majestic, features a broad forehead, strong brow ridges converging at the base of the nose, downcast eyes with hints of ancient highlights, a broadly drawn mouth and a serene expression. The sobriety of the facial modeling contrasts with the extraordinary richness of the adornment.
The crown is organized in several superposed registers, combining beaded borders, floral motifs, rosettes, medallions and a spectacular upper frieze of flame-shaped rosette fleurs. Long ear ornaments complete this royal display.
The back of the head is especially remarkable: a wide ornamental plaque with a reticulated lattice, framed by beaded borders and vegetal motifs, one of the most representative features of the vocabulary of Ayutthaya crowned Buddhas.
The sculpture is made in a copper alloy of bronze type, using an internal-core casting technique. A substantial part of the old core remains preserved, which explains notably the unusually heavy weight of the head, close to 6 kg for only 23 cm in height. Traces of old coverings and gilding survive in the creases of the crown and ornaments.
The surfaces display a beautiful old patina ranging from dark brown to bronze-red, locally punctuated by green oxidation. Wear and small losses naturally concentrate on the most exposed reliefs, while the hollows better preserved the old coatings.
This head, formerly integrated into a complete sculpture, constitutes a strikingly decorative and powerful example of late Ayutthaya royal Buddhist statuary, remarkable both for its weight and sculptural presence and for the richness of its crown and the preservation of its later decoration.
Dimensions without the base: 23 × 15 × 14 cm.
Height with base: 28 cm.
Weight without base: about 6 kg.
The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and expertise from MIMOSA SA.
video link : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4cty4s3q8worlf37040us/AE2BvuIj3TdtXXiVdqeKS20?rlkey=tmjh5zs1yxfbijf3qnml7qn45&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 and expressive crowned head of Śākyamuni Buddha in bronze, belonging to Thai iconography of Phra Chao Song Khrueang, depicting the Buddha adorned with the attributes and ornaments of royal sovereignty.
The work is linked to the Ayutthaya kingdom tradition and can be stylistically placed at the end of the 17th – beginning of the 18th century, a period during which representations of the crowned Buddha reached a high degree of decorative sophistication.
The face, particularly majestic, features a broad forehead, strong brow ridges converging at the base of the nose, downcast eyes with hints of ancient highlights, a broadly drawn mouth and a serene expression. The sobriety of the facial modeling contrasts with the extraordinary richness of the adornment.
The crown is organized in several superposed registers, combining beaded borders, floral motifs, rosettes, medallions and a spectacular upper frieze of flame-shaped rosette fleurs. Long ear ornaments complete this royal display.
The back of the head is especially remarkable: a wide ornamental plaque with a reticulated lattice, framed by beaded borders and vegetal motifs, one of the most representative features of the vocabulary of Ayutthaya crowned Buddhas.
The sculpture is made in a copper alloy of bronze type, using an internal-core casting technique. A substantial part of the old core remains preserved, which explains notably the unusually heavy weight of the head, close to 6 kg for only 23 cm in height. Traces of old coverings and gilding survive in the creases of the crown and ornaments.
The surfaces display a beautiful old patina ranging from dark brown to bronze-red, locally punctuated by green oxidation. Wear and small losses naturally concentrate on the most exposed reliefs, while the hollows better preserved the old coatings.
This head, formerly integrated into a complete sculpture, constitutes a strikingly decorative and powerful example of late Ayutthaya royal Buddhist statuary, remarkable both for its weight and sculptural presence and for the richness of its crown and the preservation of its later decoration.
Dimensions without the base: 23 × 15 × 14 cm.
Height with base: 28 cm.
Weight without base: about 6 kg.
The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and expertise from MIMOSA SA.
video link : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4cty4s3q8worlf37040us/AE2BvuIj3TdtXXiVdqeKS20?rlkey=tmjh5zs1yxfbijf3qnml7qn45&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
Thailand – Kingdom of Ayutthaya
Century/timeframe
Fin du XVIIe – début du XVIIIe siècle, période d’Ayutthaya tardive
Name of object
Large bronze-crowned head of the Buddha Śākyamuni – Phra Chao Song Khrueang
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2024
Material
Bronze / copper alloy
Country acquired from
Europe
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
24 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Width
14 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
17 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
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.
