Country Group: South and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam)

Item id: 10685

Incredible 10th/11th Century Cambodian Buddha Head. A remarkably sophisticated work in both execution and expression. In over 30 years of collecting, I have seen only two comparable examples—one illustrated in an early Thai publication and one in an older Sotheby’s catalog—both attributed to 10th–11th century Cambodia. Traces of the original gilding remain, and the eyes retain portions of their original crystal or fluorite inlay. The head is solid or near-solid cast, making it exceptionally heavy for its size. This is a genuinely rare piece. The original full figure would have stood 16–18 inches tall, likely the largest bronze in its temple, as works of that scale were typically carved in stone.



I recently had a new base custom-made for it as I prepare to release it from my private collection. This has long been one of my most cherished pieces. What continues to astonish me about this small group of bronzes is the supreme sweetness, refinement, and evolved sensibility in the facial modeling—qualities that stand in almost complete contrast to the thicker, more forceful, and sometimes primitive feel of much Dvaravati and early Khmer sculpture. This face conveys something almost otherworldly—not simply a regional variation, but an artistic leap. While some pre-Khmer and early Mon Buddhas display gentle, peaceful expressions, they tend to be simpler or more childlike. This example carries a profound, elevated serenity that is extremely rare and seldom achieved with such elegance.



An all-time favorite. From a four-generation family collection, and in my own collection since the 1980s, one of my earliest major acquisitions as a collector. Note: Some photos differ slightly, taken four years apart with different cameras and edited by different people; we made every effort to capture the piece accurately both times.



Dimensions:

Head: 4" H × 2.25" W × 2.75" D — 1.23 lbs

Base: 3" W × 1.75" H