Provenance:
German Private Collection, circa 1960s
Danish Private Collection
Cast in four separate pieces, this sculpture depicts a standing crowned Buddha enclosed within a tall aureole of stylized flames. The figure raises both hands in abhaya mudra, the gesture of reassurance, while nested arches and curling flame motifs rise to a pointed finial above.
The Buddha's broad face is framed by gently-arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, and elongated earlobes. A small, softly-modeled mouth and composed expression lend the figure a sense of calm that contrasts with the intricacy of the surrounding ornament. The elaborate crown, necklaces, and jeweled adornments reflect a tradition in which the Buddha could be represented with royal attributes as well as the robes of a monk.
Produced during the Lopburi period, when central Thailand maintained close artistic and cultural ties with the Khmer world, the sculpture reflects a distinctive regional interpretation of Buddhist imagery. The slender figure and soaring aureole create an elegant silhouette, while the rich ornament of the crown and flame-edged frame remains secondary to the quiet dignity of the Buddha himself.