Antique Thai Rattanakosin Buddha in Maravijaya – 19th Century Gilt Bronze

A substantial Rattanakosin-period devotional bronze

At 36.5 cm high and weighing 5.8 kg, this seated Buddha has considerably more presence than a lightweight decorative casting. It belongs to the Thai Rattanakosin tradition and is catalogued to the 19th century, circa 1800–1870. The elongated limbs, restrained robe line, downcast eyes, extended earlobes, tightly curled hair and flame-shaped ushnisha deliberately preserve the idealising vocabulary of earlier Sukhothai sculpture, while the broad architectural pedestal is characteristic of the later Bangkok period.

The earth-touching moment

Shakyamuni sits with the left hand open in the lap while the right descends across the knee to touch the earth. Known as Bhumisparsha and, in the Thai context, commonly associated with Maravijaya, the gesture recalls the Buddha calling the earth to witness his victory over Mara immediately before enlightenment.

A traditional lacquer-and-gold surface

The surviving gold should not be confused with mercury-amalgam fire gilding. Macro examination of worn areas shows a dark lacquer substrate beneath the gold, together with thin leaf-like edges and local losses. This construction is consistent with the long Thai practice of preparing a bronze surface with lacquer before applying gold leaf.

The resulting surface is naturally varied: sheltered passages retain stronger gold, while exposed areas show polished wear, darkened lacquer, fine scratches and small lacunae. No attempt has been made to describe this irregularity as a uniform modern finish.

What the open base reveals

The statue is a traditional hollow cast. Viewed from below, the interior retains substantial portions of the original earthen core, old accretions and localized blue-green copper corrosion near the rim. The rough internal topography has not been mechanically cleaned or modernly finished and provides useful evidence of the casting process.

Condition and catalogue data

Preserved in antique condition with wear to the lacquer and gilding, scattered scratches, dark deposits, minor oxidation and local surface losses. The core remnants inside the open base remain intact.

• Origin: Thailand
• Period: Rattanakosin, 19th century
• Date: circa 1800–1870
• Material: bronze / copper alloy
• Surface: historic lacquer gilding with surviving gold leaf
• Iconography: Shakyamuni, Maravijaya / Bhumisparsha
• Dimensions: H 36.5 × W 26.7 × D 10 cm
• Weight: 5.8 kg

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