Rattanakosin Gilt Bronze Sculpture of the Buddha Seated - PF.5293 Origin: Thailand Circa: 18
th
Century AD
to 19
th
Century AD Dimensions:19.25" (48.9cm) high Collection: Asian Medium: Gilt Bronze
Additional Information: SOLD Location: United States
Seated on a terraced, ornate "cushion"
is the
serenely elegant Buddha wearing a
corrugated
headdress with a pointed central
appendage
(ushnisha). The body displays a
combination of
sensuality in the finely modelled limbs,
and
austerity in the straight back posture
and other-
worldly expression of the face. The
artist has
achieved a sense of perfect balance in
this
sculpture, recalling the Buddha's
exhortation to
harmonize the material world with the
world of
the spirit.
Rattanakosin came into being when King
Rama I
ascended the throne in 1782. He decided
to
establish the new capital on the east
bank of the
Chao Phraya River for better security
from
Burma. King Rama I was determined to
build a
new capital to revive the glory and
splendor of
old Ayutthaya. The new capital was
proclaimed
and hence began the Rattanakosin era or
Bangkok period under the glorious reign
of the
Chakri Kings.