COLOSSAL LOATION BRONZE BUDDHA
15th-16th Century
Code: 0208 - Price: POA

A colossal Bronze Loation sitting Buddha, in superb condition and extremely rare. The patina is an excellent dark brown colour with some smaller green patches below the gold leaf and gilding. The eyes are inlaid mother of pearl as is normally the custom. The ears and usnisa (flame finnial or cranial protuberance on his head) are of the Laos style, the usnisa being in the form of a square Laos pagoda is separately cast and removable a clear indication of an earlier date. There are no repairs or restoration and the image is in excellent condition throughout. A large amount of the clay core remains. A stylised lotus flower forms the clasp on the waist/sash (and could possibly at one time have held four semi precious stones). This image has been cared for over the centuries never being buried, always kept within a temple. A Buddha of this size would possibly have been the predominant Buddha image within a Loation provincial temple, the styling and iconography would suggest an area outside Luang Prabang, central Laos. The people of Laos as is the case in Burma, made all their images considerably heavy due to the thickness of bronze in the casting, not acquiring the expertise and finesse of there Thai counterparts. Its now almost impossible to find sizable Loation Buddha images on the market due to a total ban of trading in images within Laos. Together with the fact that Laos unlike its neighbours Thailand and Burma did not cast images in the same quantity, probably due to population county topography and the fact that a lot of historic sights were lost forever during the US bombing campaign. The casting of this image would have been accompanied by a religious ceremony in the company of Buddhist monks, this is generally custom during the casting of larger important images such as this one.
Excellent condition, no losses whatsoever.
Measurements: 36.5" (93cm) high including usnisa
and 17" (43.5cm) wide at the knees. Weight: 11 stone (70 Kg)

LOATION BRONZE BUDDHA
16th-17th Century
Code: 0871 - Price: POA

Bronze Loation sitting Buddha. The patina is an superb glossy dark brown colour with original gold leaf throughout. The hair is cast in the uniquely Lao style of pointy spikes known as durian or thorn like curls, similar to the Thai school of Haripunchai. The ears on images of this type and period are of particular interest, featuring wide pits circling like conch shells and long slightly curved earlobes terminating towards the upper tips in a pointed fashion, probably the most interesting feature of this Lao period above others. The Sukhothai influence on this period of Lao images can be clearly seen across a number of features; the shoulders are broad and the chest is thick and solid as dignified as in the Sukhothai style and the nose has a distinctive aquiline shape. The clay core remains intact. A fine image dated to the Early Era: last period 1520-1777, 21cm tall.
Good condition.
Measurements: 8.25" (21cm) high.

Reference: Lao Buddha - the image and its history - Somkiart Lopetcharat 2000

LAOS STANDING BUDDHA 'CALLING FOR RAIN' WITH AGED PATINA 19thCentury
Code: 0869 - Price: SOLD

A nice example of an 19th century Laos Buddha image in the uniquely Lao 'Calling for rain' posture - both arms flat down the Buddhas sides, wearing a long robe and sash tied at the waist. Carved in a nice provincial and stylistic manner. With a Lao pagoda shaped usnisa and Laos ‘block’ ears. The base has a gilt painted lotus decoration typical of Lao images of this period. There are remains of old lacquer, gold leaf and paint.
Good condition, free standing.
Height 12.5" (32cm) tall.
Weight: .

LAOS BUDDHA WITH AGED PATINA 18thCentury
Code: 0280 - Price: SOLD

A nice example of an 18th century Laos Buddha image, carved in a provincial and stylistic manner. The image is carved in an interesting primitive manor with cone shaped usnisa and Laos ‘block’ ears. The base has suffered from termite damage which has eaten up into the inside. The Image has been professionally mounted on a black laminate stand with a metal rod for display purposes. There are remains of old lacquer and pigments.
Fair condition, termite damage to lower base.
Height not including stand 10" (26cm) tall.
Measurements including stand: 13" (32.5cm) tall,
3.5" Wide (9cm), 2.2" Deep (5.3cm). Weight: 500gms.