Bronze Buddha head-age/authenticity ?

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by bosko69, Dec 8, 2024.

  1. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Another object from one of my rare trips to an antique mall.Any guesses as to age or authenticity of this bronze Buddha bust ?
    I'd imagine these heads have been reproduced as much as any classic bust.
    Height- abt 12" tall (sorry no back view). NOTE-There's a blobby area on the front of the diadem.
    One would assume hundreds of thousands of Buddha's were made & remade & the same casts recycled for centuries.
    QUESTION-Any way for a layman to guess at an older cast from a current repro ? All any opinions welcome.
    @Any Jewelry

    *Here's a few other examples of this same/similar bust online,usually listed as '19th Century Thai Bronze Buddha Head'
    https://www.nealauction.com/auction-lot/collection-of-five-thai-bronze-heads-of-buddha_29941EE9C3
    https://www.manorauctions.com/auction-lot/2-bronze-buddha-heads-with-stands_9F6B1F056F

    Buddha2.jpg
    These are 18th/19th Cent Thai heads from the Met Museums collection-
    https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/460388
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2024
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    These have been made for the tourist industry for quite some time, and are still being made. Understandable, because Ayutthaya and Sukhothai style Buddhas are very beautiful.
    Thai people consider Buddha heads that have been removed or were broken from their bodies bad luck.
    A red flag imo, as are the 'messy' top knots.
     
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  3. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    AJ-Thanks so much for your wise input.
    Re-'messy top knots'..just because an item's old or ancient doesn't mean our ancestor artisans were sloppy or less talented.
    Ditto-re beheaded Buddhas,lots of comments about colonials & smugglers lopping off the heads of these sacred statues-disgusting.Who would do this to a crucifix ?
     
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  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Exactly. Plus highly valued items like Buddhas were made with the utmost care. Not every culture had the means to reach perfection in execution, but the Thai certainly did.
     
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  5. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    I think with my knowledge-base it's safer shopping junk stores & garage sales than antique stores !:rolleyes:
     
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  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Nothing wrong with your knowledge base, bosko. But you can't know everything of every field in antiques and art.;)
     
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  7. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Thanks AJ,and learning new things definitely keeps it interesting.
     
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  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It does. One of many good things here, we learn so much from each other.
     
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  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Too much....... I can barely retain a smidgen of the vast array of expertise that this board is constantly spewing.....! :(

    It's overwhelming !!!:woot::woot::woot:
     
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  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I know!:arghh: We really need to put a stop to this incessant sharing of knowledge!:facepalm::dead::joyful:
     
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  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hungry::hungry:
     
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