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

Item id: 8601

13thC Bayon Style or Post Khmer figure. Very good quality and large for its type. This type of patina is typical for a piece that has been through a fire at some point in the past, but was then protected for a long period of time. Based on the quality , alloy used, classic sculpting and proportions, and overall "feel" of the piece, I am reasonably certain this is a period piece. It has a "life" that shines from within that is completely different than one experiences from the modern replicas. This particular 13th century transitional period (from Khmer into Thai sculpture) produced distinctive crowned Buddhas that are truly special. This one was collected by the previous owner in the mid 1960's while an "advisor" for the US Government to South Vietnam at the start of the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed in Eastern Thailand. He reported he bought from a farmer who claimed had dug it up in some overgrown ruins in the jungle. Hard to find in this large size, especially with such a nice face (the 13thC examples tend to have friendlier and happier faces than the 11/12thC examples, which often are more serious). This piece measures 6.75" tall, 8" tall on its custom base, and with a bottom measurement of approximately 6.25" x 5".