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HOME :
Asian Art :
Art of Thailand : Sukhothai Bronze Sculpture of the Buddha Standing
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Sukhothai Bronze Sculpture of the Buddha Standing - FZ.223
Origin: Northern Thailand
Circa: 13
th
Century AD
to 14
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
9.5" (24.1cm) high
x 3" (7.6cm) wide
Collection: Asian
Medium: Bronze
Additional Information: SOLD
$3,600.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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Historically, the Sukhothai kingdom is
regarded as the first Thai kingdom.
According to legend, the city of
Sukhothai was founded in 1238 A.D. by
two Thai chieftains who rebelled against
their Khmer overlords and established
their own independent kingdom. One of
these chieftains became the first king
of Sukhothai, known from then on as Sri
Indraditya. The kingdom quickly
expanded its territory by force as well
as through a network of marriage
alliances with neighboring Thai states.
By the reign of Ramkhamhaeng, the
younger son of Sri Indraditya, the
kingdom had become one of the most
powerful states in Southeast Asia. Its
borders now stretched from Burma in the
west to Laos in the east and the Malay
peninsula in the south. The era of
Sukhothai, which literally means “dawn
of happiness,” is generally considered
to be the cradle of Thai culture, and
Ramkhamhaeng is revered as the father of
the Thai nation.
While the Sukhothai kingdom was
initially indebted to Khmer art and
architecture, as is evident in the
earliest ruins of the city, over time
the kingdom became increasingly
influenced by the art and religion of
Sri Lanka, all the while maintaining a
uniquely Thai character. Under the
Sukhothai Dynasty, the Ceylonese school
of Theravada Buddhism flourished and the
major cities of the kingdom became
centers of Buddhist learning complete
with magnificent monasteries. Sukhothai
style Buddhist sculptures are famed for
their stylized elegance. Sukhothai
artists are also noted for introducing
the form of the “walking Buddha” into
the cannon of Buddhist sculpture.
Although this era is considered to be a
golden age of Thai culture, the kingdom
began to decline after the death of
Ramkhamhaeng, due in part to the rise of
Lan Na as well as the breakdown of a
number of principalities into
independent states.
Buddha, "The Enlightened One", lived in
India in the 6th century B.C. He taught
a philosophy of righteousness, designed
to help achieve nirvana that entwined
the active and the contemplative life.
He believed peace of mind could be
achieved through meditation. The
religion Buddha established spread
throughout Asia and has flourished
continuously until the present. Skilled
artists from many Asian cultures have
portrayed Buddha as the personification
of his philosophical ideals. This serene
statue depicts a standing Buddha, deep
in prayer. His air of tranquility is
timeless. When we gaze upon it, no
matter what our personal beliefs, we
cannot help but feel tranquil ourselves.
- (FZ.223)
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