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

Item id: 9002

The Srivijaya Empire was a powerful maritime and commercial kingdom that flourished from the 7th to the 13th century across what is now Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia. A major Mahayana Buddhist center, Srivijaya became an essential stop for Chinese Buddhist pilgrims en route to India, and its kings even founded monasteries at Nagapattinam in southeastern India. Srivijayan bronze sculpture reflects a rich blend of influences: early Dvaravati, Indian and Indo-Javanese forms, and later Khmer elements. This piece, standing 5.5 inches tall without its base, exemplifies that synthesis with exceptional refinement. It is a museum-quality bronze, notable for its elegant proportions and the cultural depth embodied in its form.



The sculpture carries important provenance. It was originally part of the Buckingham Collection, a detail confirmed when the son of the now-deceased previous owner contacted me after recognizing the piece. An old Tibet House catalog from the 1970s assigns this type specifically to 9th–11th century Srivijaya, consistent with its style and casting. A rare and significant example of early Southeast Asian bronze artistry, combining spiritual resonance with historical importance.