Ayutthaya Buddha head carved in sandstone, produced in Siam in about 1650.
With authentication from the Department of Oriental Art, Antique Silver, (18a Northampton square, London, E.C. 1).
The Buddha’s head is usually depicted in a state of meditation, the faint smile on the statue symbolising his tranquil and aristocratic nature. On the top of his head he has a prominent protrusion, called “uṣṇīṣa”, oval-shaped, representing the splendour of spiritual energy, but its original function was as a crown; while the short curly hair shows that Prince Siddhartha shed his noble title and privileges.

Period: ca. 1650

Measurements: H 31 x W 11.5 x D 13 cm