Buddha. Lan Na Kingdom. Northern Thailand, XVI century.

Buddha. Lan Na Kingdom. Northern Thailand, XVI century.
Chai Prakan School,
Bronze, with caramel patina with traces of malachite bronze mineralization, cuprite in some areas.
High alloy quality.
Good general condition.
Measurements: 24 cm x 14 cm x 8,5 cm.

Sculpture of great fineness, belonging to the kingdom of Lan Na, and specifically from the school of Chai Prakan. The quality of the alloy is reflected in the quality of the finish and the delicacy of the details. A perfect double arch draws the eyebrows. The closed eyelids indicate meditation, the elongated earlobes symbolize nobility and wisdom. The headdress, carefully carved, is inspired by the shape of a stupa. The bhumi sparsa mudra ('gesture of touching the Earth', being bhumi: 'the planet Earth'; and sparsha: 'to touch') represents the moment when Buddha solved the problem of ending suffering when he was under the Bodhi tree. Usually represented by the Buddha seated in the lotus position, as in this magnificent bronze. The right hand almost touches the ground with the fingertips; the left hand rests on the leg with the palm facing upward. Buddha is seated on a lotus-shaped throne (symbol of purity), which in turn sits on an openwork base with foliate motifs.