Standing Buddha

Object Details

• Label

  Placid and serene, the Buddha stands with his right hand in the gesture of teaching, with his forefinger and thumb together (vitarka mudra). His other hand likely would have formed the same gesture. As a renunciant, he does not wear regal attire or jewelry. His monk's robe clings close to his body and folds around the ankles. His face is serene, with pronounced features including a streamlined brow over almond-shaped eyes and full lips, and his snail shell curls are surmounted by a conical ushnisha. His long lobes emphasize his humble appearance.

  Buddhism spread from India into Southeast Asia primarily during the course of the sixth through ninth centuries. Art was a major agent in this expanding network. Inspired by sculptural imagery from Sarnath, in northern India, artists in Thailand and Cambodia developed their own forms for the Buddha. Some of the stylistic features, such as positioning both hands in vitarka mudra, departed from Indian models.

• Provenance

  ?-1970

  William H. Wolff, Inc., New York, NY, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  1970-1987

  Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), purchased from William H. Wolff, Inc. in New York, NY [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See William H. Wolff Inc. invoice to Dr. Arthur Sackler, February 11, 1970, stock number 02/540B, where the object is described as “Limestone Standing BUDDHA 44 ¼ inches high Thailand, Mon-Dvaravati Period, 9th century,” copy in object file.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

  Research Completed October 17, 2022

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Pan-Smithsonian Institution installation, The Commons, Smithsonian "Castle" Building (June 17, 2004 to February 9, 2023)

  In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)

• Previous custodian or owner

  William H. Wolff, Inc. (1906-1991)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Thailand

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1900s, 1990s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Wolff, William H., buddha

• Place

  Thailand

• Topic

  Abhaya mudra, Stone

• Culture

  Buddhists

• Object Type

  Sculpture