227

A SUPERB AND RARE KHMER SCULPTURE OF BU

Currency:AUD Category:Antiques / Asian Antiques Start Price:5,000.00 AUD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,000.00 AUD
A SUPERB AND RARE KHMER SCULPTURE OF BU
A SUPERB AND RARE KHMER SCULPTURE OF BUDDHA MUCALINDA
Bayon period c.13th Century, of rare museum quality with fine well defined features, sculpted from green sandstone, seated in dhyanasana with hands in dhyanamudra on a coiled naga throne rising to form a seven headed cobra canopy, his face in benign expression with ridged eyebrows, broad nose, smiling lips and elongated earlobes below a conical topknot, the detail in the face and scales of the snake have retained fine clarity due to the harder wearing nature of the stone, the rear of the canopy shows excelent detail of serpent scales and the "wheel of life" to the centre of the canopy, some loss to arms, consistent wearthering, smooth patina, Cambodia, 48cm
Provenance: From an Australian collection
Note: Buddha protected by the hood of Muccalinda has a long history in Buddhist art. This is an illustration of the moment in the life of Buddha Shakyimuni when he was shielded from a storm by the serpent. This event is believed to have happened within the first six weeks after Shakyimuni attained Buddhahood, is often represented in the visual arts throughout South East Asia. Its interesting to note a shift in iconography that occurred during the reign of Jayavarman VII, who ruled as a Buddha-king rather than a Hindu God-king and thus dedicated his monuments to Buddhist rather than Hindu Divinities.