18th Century Fire-Gilt Buddha Statue – Northern Thailand (Lanna Region)
Rare 18th-century fire-gilt bronze Buddha statue from Northern Thailand, seated in Bhumisparsha mudra on an openwork elephant-frieze pedestal. Original mercury gilding remains visible. Hollow-cast with traditional ritual fill, fully authentic and unrestored.
Valuation Report
Fire-gilt bronze Buddha from Northern Thailand (Lanna region), seated in Bhumisparsha mudra on an openwork elephant-frieze pedestal, dated to the 18th century.
Material and technique: bronze with original 24 kt gold leaf applied by traditional mercury-amalgam gilding; hollow-cast with historic ritual fill still present inside the body and base.
Dimensions: height 43 cm, width 26 cm, weight 6.2 kg. Elephant-frieze openwork pedestal in original condition, with no modern reconstruction or additions observed.
Period and region: Northern Thailand, Lanna cultural sphere, 18th century, with characteristic stepped flame finial, spiral hair curls and regional elephant iconography.
Condition: original fire-gilded surface with natural age-related wear and stable patina; no modern re-gilding, artificial patination, structural repairs or recent invasive interventions detected.
Examination: assessed with museum-grade analytical methods including daylight inspection, UV fluorescence, macro photography and high-magnification microscopy of both gilded and non-gilded areas.
1stbuddha retail valuation (guidance): €15 000 – €22 000.
18th Century Fire-Gilt Buddha Statue – Northern Thailand (Lanna Region)
Description
18th Century Fire-Gilt Buddha Statue – Northern Thailand (Lanna Region)
This exceptional Buddha statue originates from Northern Thailand (Lanna region) and dates to the 18th century (ca. 1750–1800). The Buddha is shown seated in Bhumisparsha mudra (earth-touching gesture), symbolizing enlightenment. The pedestal features an openwork elephant-frieze base—an extremely rare and highly symbolic motif.
The surface retains authentic fire-gilding (mercury-gilding), confirmed under UV analysis and microscopy. Areas of original gold layer are preserved alongside natural patina, copper corrosion, and black mineral encrustation. Internal filling includes calcification, salt efflorescence, and organic residue confirming ritual use.
The statue is hollow-cast using the lost-wax method, with no modern restoration. Microscopic inspection revealed a mineralized plant-based strand trapped beneath the gilding layer, confirming original pre-modern workshop methods.
- Origin: Northern Thailand / Lanna Region
- Age: ca. 1750–1800 (18th century)
- Material: Fire-gilt bronze (mercury gilding)
- Height: 43 cm
- Width: 26 cm
- Weight: 6.2 kg
- Base: Openwork pedestal with elephant frieze
- Condition: Authentic, unrestored, original gilding remains
This statue is an exceptionally rare example of 18th-century Buddhist ritual art from the Lanna tradition, representing both spiritual depth and exceptional craftsmanship. Suitable for collectors of authentic Southeast Asian religious bronzes.
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18th Century Fire-Gilt Buddha Statue – Northern Thailand (Lanna Region)
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