Gold-Leaved Gilded Lan Na Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra seated on a throne
Material: Brass
Origin: Thailand
Height: 23.5 cm
Code: TS-004
“Lan Na” Buddha statues refer to Buddha images from the Lan Na Kingdom of the Northern Thailand dating between 13th to 18th Centuries AD. The Buddha images shared a close resemblance to the Pala Indian style, quite obviously influenced by the then “Indianized State” in the earlier period from 11th to 13th Centuries AD.
Key features are a lotus bud or orb-shaped finial and large hair curls (without a hair band), a plump torso and prominent chest.
The face of these Buddha statues is round with a gentle smile, high curving eyebrows, a hooked nose, narrow lips and a knobbed chin. A short mantle with a zigzag design is usually positioned above the breast. The Buddha would usually be depicted with the Bhumisparsha mudra and in a seated posture with crossed legged, showing the soles of both feet.
This phase of the statue style was gradually replaced by the Sukhothai style from the 14th century and onwards.
Notice the Royal Emblem embossed in front of the throne.