Head of Buddha brown schist Thailand, Mon-Dvaravati

A head of Buddha, the face rounded with a serene expression, downcast, almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose and full delicately outlined lips, the hair arranged in rows of curls rising to form an usnisha, the broad neck with three incisions (trivali), the elongated ears with pierced lobes, and stylized arched brows in relief, an incised urna on the forehead.

J. J. Klejman, New York, acquired 1974

The head broken at the neck fairly unevenly and the stone exfoliated around the edge of the neckline. The proper right extended earlobe broken away together with a section of the neck. The back unfinished. A small area of restoration on the hair on the proper left side above the left temple, the curls being reconstructed in an area approximate 1 ½ inch square. A few chips and abrasions to the surface, some soil deposits in the hair.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This beautifully modeled head is distinctive of the Mon-Dvaravati style and relates both to sculpture found in Cambodia at the time as well as seeming to reveal a transmission of stylistic elements from the Gupta period of Indian sculpture, thereby contributing to the debate on the Indianization of Southeast Asia, see Alice N. Heeramaneck, Masterpieces of Indian Sculpture from the Former Collections of Nasli M. Heeramaneck, Italy, 1979, fig. 130.