Featured Bronze Buddha figure

Hello all

I have a small bronze Buddha figure.

Its seated on what looks like a coiled snake, which turns into a multiheaded fish/shark styled as a sort of throne…any ideas what country he is from?

Looks to have been gilded at some point.

505 grams
12cm height

 

A charming Naga Buddha, from mainland Southeast Asia, possibly Thailand.

The snake is a Naga called Mucalinda. Mucalinda sheltered Buddha from the rain as he sat and meditated under the Bodhi tree, where he found enlightenment.
Those aren't fish/shark heads but stylised cobra heads. Mucalinda is often represented as having multiple heads, especially in Southeast Asian iconography.

 

Looks like it has some age. Would have been all gold colored at one time i bet.

 

It has been artificially blackened, with gold-coloured accents.

 

Thank you AJ. I actually found one identical on eBay searching for Naga Buddha. Do you have any tips on how to spot artificial blackening?

 

If it's black, it's artificially blackened. Bronze and brass don't turn black naturally. They do darken or get verdigris. On an old piece I would expect darkening and/or verdigris on the inside as well.

Another way to recognize age is the base. Brass and bronze always show smooth wear after a century. Even after less than a century the parts of the base that protrude should be silky smooth.