Thai Buddhist Votive Plaque

About the Item

Thai Buddhist Votive Plaque, Sukhothai style, cast in relief from a metal alloy of tin and lead with an iron like surface of a deep brown colour, depicting a relief image of a walking Buddha. His left foot planted firmly on the ground while his right heel is raised. His left hand is held upwards known as the Abhayamudra (the had gesture of reassurance and safety), his right hand hangs at his side, known as the posture of the Buddha in the Descent from the Tavatimsa Heaven. He wears a simple belted robe. Above the image is a two tiered honorific parasol and an arched ornamental doorway supported by a pair of columns with vases of flowers placed in front of them. Below the image a lotus styled pedestal with a loyal monkey and an elephant bestowing gifts at his feet, below which are decorative elements as well as the surround edged in a gold trim. The entire plaque is framed with a two coloured silk surround and a teak frame. Excellent condition. The plaque measures 14-1/2 inches high x 5 inches wide, the frame 22-3/4 inches x 13-1/4 inches. Ayutthaya Period, 1351-1767. Note: It is reported that in 1957 an excavation was performed at Wat Ratchanaburana (built circa 1424) wherein 100,000 tablets were found from contemporaneous sources and cultures as well as from previous eras. In the following year to help finance the rebuilding of the temple a number of these tablets found were sold to the public. It is possible that this tablet was among those sold at that time. Provenance: Richard A. Fenn, New York. For other examples of tablets found at Wat Ratchanaburana see: Reginald LeMay, A Concise History of Buddhist Art in Siam, 1962, fig. 150., Theodore Bowie, The Sculpture of Thailand, 1972, fig. 56, p.97., Forrest McGill, The Kingdom of Siam: The Art of Central Thailand, 1350 - 1800, 2005, figs. 12 & 13, p. 117.

Dimensions:

Height: 22.75 in (57.79 cm)Width: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)

Style:

Other (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Lead,Tin,Metalwork

Place of Origin:

Thailand

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

Ayutthaya Period, 1351-1767