Sakyamuni Buddha

THAILAND; Dvaravati Kingdom

One special aspect of this sculpture is the detailed treatment of the hands and head. The main emphasis is placed on the front of the sculpture, while the back is flat and unadorned like other statues from the Dvaravati Kingdom (circa 6th–13th century). However, there is a small square cavity at the back to store relics.
The statue is dated from the 8th to 9th century due to visible Mon traits that was rarely seen in later periods. The forehead is squared with long, fine eyebrows over alert eyes. The nose is broad and the lips are full. Both arms are raised in vitarka (teaching) mudra. The thin monastic robe covers both shoulders and falls deeply from over the wrists and flares slightly outward to hang in a curve around the shins.