A RARE AND LARGE LIMESTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA, MON-DVARAVATI PERIOD

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A RARE AND LARGE LIMESTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA, MON-DVARAVATI PERIOD This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve Expert’s note: This magnificent head is a very large example of its type, making it difficult to imagine the scale of the complete sculpture to which it once belonged, which would likely have been approximately 230 cm high based on the proportions of a related smaller (114.2 cm) Mon-Dvaravati figure of standing Buddha in the Cleveland Museum of Art, object number 1973.15). See also a closely related Dvaravati limestone figure of Buddha, Thailand, Wat Phra Men, Nakhon Pathom, 7th-8th century, ca. 375 cm high, in the National Museum, Bangkok, accession number 594/2509. Thailand, 7th-8th century. Finely carved and sensitively modeled with a serene expression marked by neatly incised protruding eyes beneath expressive brows, his similarly outlined bow-shaped lips forming a benevolent smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair arranged in thick curls over the domed ushnisha. Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Height 38.5 cm (excl. stand), 61 cm (incl. stand) With an associated stand. (2) The Mon polity of Dvaravati was one of the earliest and most important societies in mainland Southeast Asia. Based around the Chao Phraya and Mae Klang river basins of central Thailand, the Dvaravati polity was known from early Chinese textual sources, as well as being mentioned in a single local inscription that dates to roughly AD 550-650. Due to the large numbers of Buddhist sculptures associated with the culture, it is most likely that the rulers were patrons of the Buddhist faith. Dvaravati images of Buddha are heavily influenced by contemporary Indian sculptural styles, including the Gupta style based around the site of Sarnath. The facial features of the Mon Dvaravati Buddhist images, however, display arched, joined eyebrows which are unlike those found in India, and which are therefore characteristic of the Mon Dvaravati style. Compared to earlier and later Thai kingdoms, Dvaravati was relatively geographically and economically isolated, which contributed to the distinct qualities of its sculpture, such as the aforementioned eyebrows, the broad, almost squared face, and the full, prominent lips. Additionally, the local stone was tough and difficult to work with, leading artists to prefer thick, strong features over softness and subtlety. Their style was bold, self-assured, recognizable, and highly influential on subsequent Thai sculpture and artistic production throughout Southeast Asia. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related Mon-Dvaravati stone head of Buddha, Thailand, dated 7th-8th century, 35.6 cm tall, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2025.294. Compare a closely related limestone head of Buddha, dated to 8th-9th century, 33 cm high, in the British Museum, registration number 1963,1016.1. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2024, lot 541 Price: USD 50,400 or approx. EUR 47,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving. Note the smaller size (23.5 cm).

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