Head of a Crowned Buddha

THAILAND; Ayutthaya Kingdom

This statue was created some time during or after the 16th century of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (circa 1350–1767) when that period’s style was fully developed. Most statues from this era were highly ornamented, reflecting the kingdom’s prosperity.
The Buddha wears the royal Thai crown that is intricately patterned. Originally it was inlaid with ornaments that are now missing, but the bracket that held the gem is still visible. There is a narrow band around the rim of the crown. Ornaments hang from the tips of the lobes as a continuation of the elongated earlobes. The eyebrows, eyes, and lips of the Buddha have been prominently outlined to increase their distinctiveness. The upward curve of the hooded and slightly opened eyes is particularly notable.
Sculptures made during the rule of the Ayutthaya Kingdom are different from those of the earlier Sukhothai Kingdom (circa 1238–1438) in that the soft features are replaced with harder, more obvious delineation. The work has a more magnificent and luxurious appearance because of the greater emphasis on decorative details.