COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
ASIA.1979.076
AMICA Library Year:
1999
Object Type:
Sculpture
Creator Nationality:
Asian; Southeast Asian; Thai
Creator Name-CRT:
Thai
Title:
Head of Buddha
View:
Full view
Creation Date:
Mon style, c. 8th century
Creation Start Date:
700
Creation End Date:
799
Materials and Techniques:
Limestone
Creation Place:
Thailand
Dimensions:
H. 27 in. (68.6 cm)
AMICA Contributor:
Asia Society
Owner Location:
New York, New York, USA
ID Number:
1979.076
Credit Line:
Asia Society: The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection
Context:
The diversity of style and iconography in sculptures produced in mainland Southeast Asia from the 6th through 9th centuries reflects the many regional cultures then thriving in that part of the world. In general, two systems of classification are used tohelp define the regional styles found here: one relies on political terms, such as 'Dvaravati' and 'pre-Angkor,' while the more recent system groups by language and/or ethnic types such as Mon and Khmer. The high cheekbones, broad nose, and full lips of this head of a Buddha typify Mon-style buddha images. Mon-speaking peoples controlled the regions of Thailand where sculptures such as this were produced from the 6th through 10th centuries. Mon-style art was fairly conservative, changing little over the centuries, and a precise chronology for sculptures in this style has yet to be established. Nonetheless, the slight elongation of the shape and features suggest an 8th-century date.
Related Document Description:
Asia Society. Handbook of the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection. New York: Asia Society, [1981], p. 38.
Related Document Description:
Lee, Sherman E. Asian Art: Selections from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd. New York: Asia Society, 1970, pp. 36, 44.
Related Document Description:
Sutton, Denys. 'Search for Perfection.' Apollo (November 1983), p. 365.
Related Document Description:
Treasures of Asian Art: Selections from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, The Asia Society, New York. Hong Kong and Singapore: Hong Kong Museum of Art and National Museum Singapore, 1993, pp. 100, 101.
Related Document Description:
Treasures of Asian Art: Selections from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, The Asia Society, New York. Tokyo: Idemitsu Museum of Arts, 1992, pp. 61, 129.
Related Image Identifier Link:
ASIA.1979.076.a.tif
