Description A PAIR OF THAI SILVER REPOUSSé VOTIVE TABLETS DEPICTING THE WALKING BUDDHA
Thailand, 15th-16th century. Each plaque with fine repoussé depicting the Walking Buddha under a pointed arch, wearing a long samghati draped over the left shoulder, the face with a serene expression with downcast almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, benevolent smile, the hair in tight curls surmounted by an ushnisha, surrounded by rows of innumerable tiny Buddhas. The walking posture refers to the Buddha as wandering from city to city preaching the Dharma after his descent from the Tavatimsa Heaven.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
Condition: Good condition with few small losses, the top of one plaque slightly bent, minor expected traces of age and wear, and extensive soil encrustations.
Weight: 96.3 g (total)
Dimensions: Size 31.5 x 11.3 cm (each)
Literature comparison: Several very closely related pieces are published in The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 88 and 90, Budapest 2013.