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Enthroned Buddha Preaching

first half of the 7th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This diminutive Buddha appears to be engaged in animated exposition, and his raised right hand (now damaged) may have indicated the teaching gesture (vitarkamudra). A significant number of terracottas were recovered during the excavation of site 40 at Khu Bua in 1962. The Buddha’s seated posture (bhadrasana) has its origins in the rock-cut cave depictions of western India and was disseminated to China and Southeast Asia, where it is associated with auspiciousness and material wealth. Its widespread appearance in Southeast Asia points to the circulation of portable Indian models, most likely transported by Buddhist missionary monks.

cat. no. 110

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Enthroned Buddha Preaching
  • Date: first half of the 7th century
  • Culture: Central Thailand
  • Medium: Terracotta
  • Dimensions: H. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm); W. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm); D. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Lent by National Museum, Bangkok (441/2504 [129/1])
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art