Asian Art Auction

November 28, 2016

LOT 277

Lot 277

A North Thai, Ayutthaya Style, Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, 17th Century

A North Thai, Ayutthaya Style, Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, 17th Century
Lot 277 Details
A North Thai, Ayutthaya Style, Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, 17th Century

泰國 大城時代 十七世紀 鎏金釋迦摩尼佛

Seated in virasana on a finely cast lotus petal base, with both hands in dhyanamudra, wearing samghati, the face with a serene, contended expression, with downcast eyes beneath arched eyebrows and the lips gently smiling, with elongated earlobes and curled hairdress, with thick gilding
height 28.3" — 72 cm.

Estimate $2,000-$3,000

Realised: $2,640
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

From the Collection of Robert Stephenson (lots 268-274)

We are privileged to offer further pieces from the discerning collection of Robert Stephenson, a renowned collector and dealer. Bob was born in Brantford, Ontario in 1948. After receiving an honours degree in physics, mathematics and chemistry, he pursued a successful career in banking. In 1980, he was transferred from Vancouver to Asia with the Toronto Dominion Bank, and it was there that he fell in love with Asian art. He began collecting Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Korean pieces, and became particularly enamoured with figures of the Buddha, explaining that they gave him a sense of “peace and serenity”. To accommodate his growing collection, Bob began to sell various pieces, and in 1983 he and a friend, Nonny Clemete, established their company Artifacts. When the bank proposed Bob’s relocation to North America in 1984, he opted to trade in his suit and tie for his signature silk-shirt-and-black-pant ensemble, and focused all of his time on collecting and dealing in Asian art. He expanded Artifacts internationally, establishing showrooms in Hong Kong, Brussels, Toronto and Manila, and also opened a factory workshop in Manila where furniture was produced. Bob’s passion for Asian art was enduring, and despite his success in banking, he asserted that “I know I am much happier this way. Maybe I have to work twice as hard, but I am also having twice as much fun doing what I do.” Bob’s collection was internationally recognized for its quality and breadth, as highlighted in Dimensions in Living magazine (March 1988, Hong Kong), illustrated here.

Literature:

This piece was featured in Dimensions in Living magazine, published in Hong Kong, March 1988, page 31

Note:

A similar buddha from the same region and time period was sold at Christie’s Amsterdam, November 21, 2001, lot 161

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 277
×

About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.