This seated bronze Buddha in Sukhothai style most likely dates from the 17th to 19th century in Thailand. It may actually be much earlier but we prefer to be conservative in our dating estimations.
It measures 16 inches tall by about 11 inches wide by 7 inches in depth.
It is in very good condition with areas of green patination and overall oxidation in various shades of pale to rusty brown. It has a few areas of casting loss, particularly on one end of the base (see the photo close ups). It also has a few areas where the bronze has either thinned out or pitted (again, primarily on the reverse of the base,)
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The history of Thai sculpture dates from sometime during the thirteenth century, when a distinct national school emerged and broke away from Cambodian and Mon influences in terms of the stylistic development of Buddha images. Specific schools and sub-styles are defined on the basis of relatively slight variations in the prescribed dress, the treatment of the hair and so on.
This Buddha is seated on an undecorated pedestal in the cross-legged yogic posture of satvaparyankasana, the right leg placed over the left. His right hand is lowered, long fingers pointing downward in the earth touching gesture. The latter symbolizes Shakyamuni's triumph over the forces of the demon Mara, who attempted to distract him from his quest for enlightenment, a ubiquitous theme in Thai Buddhist art. The Buddha's monastic robe is worn leaving his right shoulder bare, and a long thin section of cloth representing his narrowly folded shawl falls downs from his left shoulder to below his navel terminating in two points.
