Buddha

10th-11th century

Thailand

Copper alloy

H. 9 1/8 x W. 3 1/2 x D. 3 1/2 in. (23.2 x 8.89 x 8.89 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.74

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from J.J. Klejman, New York, NY, November 4, 1963.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

Licensing inquiries

This Buddha wears the traditional garments of a monk: two large rectangular pieces of cloth, one wrapped around his waist and the other draped over the shoulders. The two layers can be seen where the hemlines fall at different levels. His clinging clothing is similar to that created by artists working in the Indian city of Sarnath. He also has the basic Buddha symbolism developed in India, such as the head protuberance (ushnisha) indicating expanded wisdom and snail shell-shaped curls. His elongated earlobes refer to his early life as Prince Siddhartha, when he wore heavy earrings; these holes remind the faithful that they, too, should reject worldly goods and pleasures. However, this Buddha's thin and elongated body reflects a different aesthetic and may represent an example of later Mon style.