Antique 19th Century Thai Bronze Buddha | Rattanakosin Siam | Seated Bhumisparsha Buddha Statue

A wonderfully atmospheric antique Thai bronze Buddha, believed to date from the 19th century during the Rattanakosin period, with a beautifully aged dark surface and areas of natural green verdigris.

The Buddha is depicted seated in the traditional Bhumisparsha mudra, or “Calling the Earth to Witness” pose, with his right hand extending down towards the earth and his left resting in his lap. This represents the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment.

The figure displays characteristic Thai features including tightly curled hair, elongated earlobes, a tall pointed ushnisha and a simple monastic robe draped across one shoulder. He sits upon a decoratively cast tiered pedestal.

Particularly interesting is the underside. The figure is hollow cast and retains a substantial amount of earthen/clay material within the interior, consistent with the traditional lost-wax casting process used for bronze Buddhist sculpture.

The bronze has developed a rich, almost black patina with extensive turquoise-green oxidation around the lower pedestal. I have deliberately left this completely untouched and would strongly recommend that a future owner does the same.

Details

• Origin: Thailand / Siam
• Period: Rattanakosin
• Date: believed 19th century, circa 1800–1900
• Material: cast copper-alloy bronze
• Construction: hollow lost-wax casting with surviving earthen core
• Subject: Shakyamuni Buddha
• Mudra: Bhumisparsha / Calling the Earth to Witness
• Height: 12 cm
• Width: 8 cm
• Depth: 5 cm
• Weight: 404 g
• Non-magnetic

Condition

Good antique condition with substantial age-related patination, surface wear, oxidation and verdigris, particularly around the base.

There is wear and irregularity to the surface consistent with its age and traditional casting. The pointed ushnisha has an irregular tip which may represent historic wear or loss; I cannot establish this conclusively, so it is mentioned for completeness.

The underside remains open and the old earthen casting material is clearly visible.

Please study all photographs carefully as these form an important part of the description and show the condition, patina and construction in detail.

A characterful small devotional bronze with considerably more presence than its 12 cm height might suggest, and an appealing piece for a collection of Thai, Southeast Asian or Buddhist art.