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Bronze Buddha Statue Jade and Ivory eyes– extreme rare

Name: Bronze Buddha Statue Jade and Ivory eyes– extreme rare
Brand: 1stBuddha
SKU: 343
Price: 300000 EUR
Availability: InStock

AvailabilityIn stock

Only 1 left

SKU

343

Maybe the only one out there. Early hand-inlaid eyes in a 15th-century Thai bronze. Extremely rare.

Early Ayutthaya / late U-Thong C bronze Buddha from Northern Thailand (ca. 1450–1550 CE), showing refined archaic features, thin-walled cire perdue casting, original fire-gilding traces and fully preserved traditional core material. The hand-inlaid eye construction is exceptionally rare in early Thai bronzes and contributes to the uniqueness of this sculpture.

€300,000.00

Valuation Report

Early Ayutthaya / late U-Thong bronze Buddha with jade–ivory inlaid eyes, hollow cast, ca. 1450–1550.

Material and technique: hollow-cast bronze, tri-layer inlaid eyes, and remains of original 24 kt gold leaf applied by traditional mercury-amalgam technique.

Dimensions: height 47.5 cm; width 29.5 cm; approx. 7 kg.

Region and period: Northern Thailand / Laos, early Ayutthaya, ca. 1450–1550.

Condition: naturally aged surface, original gilding traces, intact inlays, and no modern repairs or artificial patina.

Examination: daylight and raking light, UV fluorescence, internal core inspection, and high-magnification microscopy.

1stbuddha retail valuation (guidance): €300 000 – €500 000.

Technical documentation: valuation report · core & surface study · microscopic analysis

Bronze Buddha Statue Jade and Ivory eyes– extreme rare

In stock

Description

Bronze Buddha with Hand-Inlaid Eyes, 14th–15th Century

This extraordinary bronze Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra originates from Northern Thailand and belongs to the transitional phase between late U-Thong C and early Ayutthaya traditions. Based on casting technique, patina, stylistic proportions and internal core structure, the piece is dated to ca. 1450–1550 CE.

The statue was produced using thin-walled cire perdue casting, a hallmark of early Thai bronze workshops. Subtle remnants of original fire gilding are preserved, especially in the hair curls. The facial planes, compact ushnisha flame and serene archaic expression reflect the refined sculptural vocabulary shared across U-Thong C and early Ayutthaya ateliers, with clear influence from Lanna and Chiang Saen aesthetics.

The eyes are inserted through a traditional hand-inlay technique. Each eye was carved separately and placed into precisely cut recesses in the bronze, without any modern adhesive. Microscopy shows natural surface grain, aged borders and mineral accretions consistent with centuries of oxidation. This early Thai method of eye-inlay is extremely uncommon and significantly enhances the rarity and scholarly importance of the sculpture.

Extensive microscopic and ultraviolet examination confirms multilayered patina, deep mineral deposits, and authentic casting residues throughout the interior cavity. The original core material – a mixture of burned clay, sand and fibrous inclusions – remains intact, with no signs of modern fillers or restoration. A structural break on the rear of the throne reveals genuine early bronze surfaces and construction without later intervention.

No comparable early Ayutthaya bronze with this level of hand-inlaid eye work is known in museum or auction records. While related examples exist in major collections, their eyes are either cast in bronze or inlaid with simpler materials. This sculpture stands out as an exceptionally rare survival from the early formation of the Ayutthaya sculptural canon.

Dimensions: H 47.5 × W 29.5 cm
Weight: 7 kg