Featured 1.4m Sitting Gilt Buddha - any idea on Age or Provenance?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN, May 14, 2018.

  1. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

    IMG_2680 copy.jpg Again from one of my Dad's collection

    My dad was told this Buddha was from the mountains, and he is pretty massive. There are writings on the base - seems kmer to me (please correct me if I am wrong). Face, hands, and feet appear to be painted with a brush while the rest of the body parts are covered over with gold leaves.

    Material: seems like wood
    Height:55 inches (about 1.4m)
    Length:28 inches
    Width:18 inches
    Weight: Very close to 70kg

    I am not entirely sure on where this is from or furthermore its age. Any info regarding those will be most helpful. Thanks in advance.

    IMG_9929 copy.jpg IMG_1284 copy.jpg IMG_7837 copy.jpg IMG_9731 copy.jpg IMG_8126 copy.jpg IMG_5780 copy.jpg IMG_5715 copy.jpg
     

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    Last edited: May 14, 2018
  2. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

  3. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

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  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

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  5. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

  6. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

  7. Mugzinnys

    Mugzinnys Well-Known Member

    That too thin of a line between meditation and suicide for me
     
  8. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    I thought the title was 1.4m, as in Dollars! :jawdrop:
     
  9. Asian Fever

    Asian Fever Well-Known Member

    hmm... that's is something pretty rare as for it's size, I highly sugget you to to have it X-rayed. It's probably something inside, if there's couple of sutra books, some buddhist relics or even a body inside it.

    We are here waiting for your result. :):):)
     
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  10. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

    @Any Jewelry Thank AJ! I would have to find a way to get it x-rayed, not too sure how that's possible. I have read those ancient ones has scrolls and sacred text stuffed in them.

    @AuDragon hey! anything that you might possibly know? thanks!
     
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  11. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

    haha my bad, it is quite misleading actually!
     
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  12. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

    Thank you @Asian Fever ! I would have to see how to get this x-ray done. Not too sure if its even possible here haha but I really hope I can. Will definitely keep you guys posted!
     
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  13. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    another amazing piece! How exciting to think something might be inside:)
     
  14. AuDragon

    AuDragon Well-Known Member

    Hi Yashini,
    Sorry it took me until tonight to respond. You have another amazing piece. Not sure its got a body inside :), but how wonderful it looks.
    I believe this one might be from northern Thailand. You might notice that most South East Asian Buddha images have long ears. This is probably due to two factors. 1. Buddha was a Prince who came from Nepal where men often wore heavy earrings, stretching the earlobe. 2. Buddhists believe that long ears are a sign of the Buddha's companion, that he listened to the suffering in the world and acted accordingly. In your alabaster Buddha, notice how the ears reach the shoulders. That's typical of many Burmese images. Thai images also have elongated earlobes, but rarely do they touch the shoulders.
    The sublime and smooth facial features also suggest Thailand. The squarish headdress on the left and right plus the raised stupa shape of the hair piece also suggest Thai, possible Northern Thai.
    The writing and designs near the base as you suggested are old and influenced by the Khmer kingdoms that occupied this area of SEA for centuries. Think Angkor Wat. My partner is not sure what the writing means, but again perhaps a blessing, devotional prayer or a wish. Sorry I can't help on this one.
    You are right about the hand painted gilt on the head, but I suspect this could have been applied much later to freshen up the image. This is commonly done in Thailand. In this image though, you can clearly see the applied square gold leaf pieces across the chest and various parts of the image.
    The Buddha is sitting in the Meditation pose (or Dhyana Mudra right hand on top of the left) and this is associated with Thursday for those people born on this day. You often see 8 images in temples (2 for Wednesday).
    I just love the bright red lips, which are also seen on a many Buddha from this are.
    I would say the image is probably 19th century, but would need to see the base and any tool or carving marks to give a better answer.
    I hope this helps.
     
  15. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female

    Thank you! I am as excited as you are!! :)
     
  16. YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN

    YASHINI D/O RENGANATHAN Contemporary Visual Artist, Female


    Thank you for taking the time to reply me. It is more than helpful and in fact, I am delighted to receive all the information. Perhaps soon I'll get the hang of identifying the various Buddhas. I will get my dad and brother to safely tilt him up to check the base. Let's see what we can find and I will keep you guys posted.

    And yes, he is amazingly beautiful! I am hoping I can find something inside. Perhaps I will read up on Khmer.. and please help me thank you partner as well :)
     
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