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Enthroned Buddha Vairocana

late 8th–9th 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 majestic Buddha Vairocana along with two enthroned Manjusri bronzes (cat. nos. 164, 165) form a stylistically identifiable corpus. All three bronzes were likely produced by monastic workshops in peninsular Thailand when that region was in close contact with eastern India, notably Bihar and Bengal, absorbing the innovative Esoteric Buddhist ideas and imagery developing there, especially in the ninth century. With their lion-supported thrones, double-lotus cushions with a pearl-beaded band, flame-emitting aureoles, and distinctive umbrellas with flying ribbons, they display a profound understanding of Bengali sculptural models.

cat. no. 163

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Enthroned Buddha Vairocana
  • Date: late 8th–9th century
  • Culture: Southern Thailand
  • Medium: Copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm); W. est. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm); D. est. 6 5/16 in. (16 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Lent by National Museum, Bangkok, donated by Khun Phoomopayakkhet in 1927
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art