SOUTH-ASIA

18 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY

04

sTAnDing buDDHA WiTH His RigHT HAnDs RAiseD in AbbAYA MuDRA

Thailand Ayutthaya period 17th century Gilt lacquered bronze with traces of lacquer Height: 38 cm Provenance: Private German collection, acquired in Frankfurt april 1960 at Frankfurter Münzhandlung, Frankfurt am Main Price: 8.400 euros

ObjeCt PReSenteD by:

Farah Massart M.:+32 495 289 100 E.: art@famarte.be W: www.famarte.com

MAY 2022 - 19

A elegant standing Buddha with his feet slightly apart on a tiered circular pedestal, his right hand raised in abbaya mudra (the gesture of dispelling fear) and his left hand pendant by his side. His face is very soft and smiling, with his eyes half closed, his hair is arranged in small curls beneath a domed chignon rising to a tall flame finial. The sanghati covers both shoulders with a broad belt and a central fold between the legs. The monastic robe is flowing in the air by two sides. The bronze has extensive gilding, red and black lacquer on the surface. This Buddha figure was created during the period pf Ayutthaya kingdom. The kingdom was founded in 1350 AD by King U Thong in the Chao Phraya River basin at the north of Bangkok. By the middle of the 15th century the kingdom extented to the majority of the territory of present-day Thailand. It was one of the richest and most powerful kingdoms ever in Southeast Asia until the Burmese attacked and burned its capitals in 1767 AD. It attracted merchants and other visitors not only from neighbouring Asia countries but also from Europe.

20 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY

MAY 2022 - 21

22 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY

05

MiRRoR WiTH HAnDle

Cambodia Angkor Vat period 12th century Bronze and handle in iron Height: 28 cm Diam.:17 cm Price: 3.200 euros

ObjeCt PReSenteD by:

Farah Massart M.:+32 495 289 100 E.: art@famarte.be W: www.famarte.com

Bronze mirrors were popular items among the Khmer during the 12th century, as they are represented in the raised hands of several apsaras carved in relief on the walls at Angkor Vat and Ta Prohm. An apsara holding a mirror is a genre known from early Indian sculpture where it reflected the beauty of its owner, and may have also been intended as a possible offering to a deity.

The mirror is decorated with a raised rim and several concentric circular moldings. The mirror has an iron handle with floral design. It is cast in the lost wax method.

MAY 2022 - 23

24 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY

06

CHofA

Thailand 19th century Teak Wood, mounted on a metal base 260 cm (h) x 70 cm x 52 cm Price: 3.700 euros

ObjeCt PReSenteD by:

Farah Massart M.:+32 495 289 100 E.: art@famarte.be W: www.famarte.com

Chofa is a architectural decorative ornament that adorns the roofedge of a wat (palace) in most Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. It resembles a elongated bird and looks hornlike. The chofa is generally believed to represent the mythical creature Garuda, half bird and half man from the Hindu mythologie, who is the vehicle of the Hindu god Vishnu.

This Cho Fa represents a fabulous dragon (Makara) with teeth and tongue. This creature with the trunk of a makara, a goatee and horns, his eyes wide open is of a surprising grandeur. The teak wood shows traces of red pigment and extensive gilding.

MAY 2022 - 25