{"product_id":"antieke-thaise-bronzen-boeddha-hoofd-hand-19e-eeuw-thailand","title":"Antique Thai Buddha Head \u0026 Sacred Hand – 19th Century Bronze Temple Fragments on Stands","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBuddha Head: H 39 × W 15 cm\u003cbr\u003e\nBuddha Hand: H 27.5 × W 17 cm\u003cbr\u003e\nCombined weight: 3.6 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo fragments, two completely different expressions of Buddhist sculpture. The serene face represents stillness and contemplation; the elongated hand represents gesture, blessing and ritual meaning. Presented together, they form a striking pair of \u003cstrong\u003eantique Thai bronze Buddha fragments dating to the 19th century\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe head and hand are independent historic fragments and did not originally belong to the same statue. They have been brought together as a sculptural ensemble because of their shared Thai origin, bronze construction, period character and complementary appearance. Each is individually mounted on a simple black metal display stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA Serene 19th-Century Thai Buddha Head\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 39 cm high Buddha head has the unmistakable elegance of traditional Thai Buddhist sculpture. The elongated face is composed around gently lowered eyes, arched eyebrows, a restrained smile and extended earlobes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClosely modelled hair curls cover the head and rise towards a tall ushnisha crowned by a dramatic flame finial. The vertical movement of this flame contrasts beautifully with the calm expression below it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculptural language relates to the \u003cstrong\u003eRattanakosin period while retaining earlier Ayutthaya influences\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly in the idealised facial proportions, flame-shaped finial and highly stylised treatment of the Buddha's features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Hand – A Fragment with Remarkable Presence\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe second fragment is a large bronze Buddha hand measuring 27.5 cm high. Its unusually long and elegant fingers immediately identify it as part of the idealised visual vocabulary found in historic Thai Buddhist sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost striking is the raised \u003cstrong\u003elotus or floral rosette on the palm\u003c\/strong\u003e. Rather than being treated as a purely anatomical detail, the palm has been given its own symbolic focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe lotus is one of the central symbols of Buddhism. Emerging clean from muddy water, it represents purity, spiritual development and awakening. Here the motif transforms the surviving hand into a compelling devotional fragment in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTwo Genuine Fragments – Not an Artificially Matched Statue\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe head and hand are intentionally presented as \u003cstrong\u003etwo separate antique fragments\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are not claimed to have originated from one Buddha statue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis distinction is part of their appeal. Each fragment has survived independently and carries its own surface, patina and evidence of age. Displayed side by side, they create the visual impression of a fragmented monumental Buddha without attempting to reconstruct an object that no longer exists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOld Bronze Surfaces\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBoth pieces retain richly varied surfaces in shades of deep brown, earthy red-brown and areas of green copper oxidation. Wear is particularly visible across projecting areas, while deposits and surface variation remain within deeper recesses such as the hair curls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSmall irregularities, oxidation, abrasions and changes in the bronze surface are consistent with the historic character of the fragments and have intentionally not been concealed beneath modern refinishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a surface with considerable depth: different areas react to the light in completely different ways, revealing both the modelling of the bronze and the passage of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThai Buddhist Sculpture as Interior Art\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRemoved from the scale of their original sculptures, the head and hand become almost architectural objects. Their restrained museum-style presentation makes them particularly effective in a contemporary interior where the aged bronze can stand against stone, wood, concrete or minimalist surroundings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe pair works equally well within a collection of Asian antiquities, a meditation space, a wabi-sabi interior or as a standalone sculptural statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe display stands deliberately remain visually secondary, allowing the historic bronze surfaces to command attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDisplay and Handling\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBoth fragments are mounted individually on black metal display stands. The fittings have \u003cstrong\u003ea small degree of natural movement\u003c\/strong\u003e and should therefore be handled with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey are intended for stable display rather than frequent handling or repositioning. When moving either object, the bronze itself and its stand should be supported carefully rather than lifting the piece by the fragment alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjects:\u003c\/strong\u003e antique Buddha head and separate Buddha hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thailand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rattanakosin tradition with earlier Ayutthaya influences\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e bronze \/ copper alloy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuddha head:\u003c\/strong\u003e H 39 × W 15 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuddha hand:\u003c\/strong\u003e H 27.5 × W 17 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCombined weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.6 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalm detail:\u003c\/strong\u003e raised lotus or floral rosette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e individually mounted on black metal display stands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e historic wear, patina, oxidation and surface variation consistent with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA distinctive pair of 19th-century Thai Buddhist fragments in which the calm expression of the Buddha and the symbolism of the sacred hand create a powerful sculptural composition.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"1stbuddha","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58120452211019,"sku":"722","price":1459.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/6170\/5547\/files\/aziatische-antieke-boeddha-sculpturen-thailand.jpg?v=1786610373","url":"https:\/\/1stbuddha.com\/products\/antique-thai-bronze-buddha-head-hand-19th-century","provider":"1stbuddha","version":"1.0","type":"link"}