The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Head of Buddha

Western Thailand

second half of the 7th century

Not on view

This head belonged to a monumental Buddha, either standing or enthroned, now lost. Its survival underscores the fragmentary nature of the archaeological record of Dvaravati art. Its sophisticated modeling and highly finished surface provide a glimpse of the standards of artistry that were attained. Its size relates to the four renowned quartzite colossi of Nakhon Pathom (two are now installed within the grounds of Phra Pathom Chediat Nakhon Pathom; one is in the National Museum, Ayutthaya; and one is in the National Museum, Bangkok). This head is sculpted from a different stone and is thus from another series of monumental Buddhas, otherwise untraced.

cat. no. 116

Head of Buddha, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Western Thailand — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Head of Buddha, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Western Thailand

Head of Buddha, Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding, Western Thailand

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Head of Buddha

Date: second half of the 7th century

Culture: Western Thailand

Medium: Sandstone with traces of lacquer and gilding

Dimensions: H. 29 in. (73.7 cm); W. 15 in. (38.1 cm); D. 17 in. (43.2 cm); Wt. 331 lbs (150.1 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by National Museum, Ratchaburi, Thailand (246/2533 [DV20])

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.