The establishment of the new kingdom of Ayutthaya in the middle of the 14th century and the change of the political center of Thai power from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya marked the beginning of a new era of great cultural prosperity. Under royal patronage, Buddhism flourished and Ayutthaya became an important Buddhist center. The rulers of this dynasty, like the rulers of the Sukhothai Kingdom, patronized cultural and religious intercourse between Sri Lanka and Thailand and encouraged and supported the development and propagation of Sihala Buddhism in Thailand. Centuries of battles with the Burmese would eventually culminate in the sacking and burning of Ayutthaya in 1767, thus ending one of the most prosperous and culturally influential periods in Thai history.

This mounted Buddha head is a fine example of Buddha imagery created during the Ayutthaya period. Buddha images are typically defined by the ushnisha (cranial bump) and elongated earlobes, which, respectively, symbolize the Buddha’s wisdom and separation from the material world. Although the iconography remains consistent for images of the Buddha, the appearance will vary slightly depending on the region and time in which pieces were crafted. For example, images of the Buddha made during the Ayutthaya period in Thailand feature prominent, tight curlicue designs in the hair and sometimes an added strike on the top of the head to further emphasize the Buddha’s wisdom. They are usually characterized by rounded, soft edges of the face, downcast eyes, and a long vertical line from the nose that leads into curved eyebrows. Images of the Buddha distinctively convey a sense of deep meditation and peace, which are much more emphasized in pieces like this which only feature the head. Overall, this magnificent piece highlights the essence of the Buddha’s nature in addition to demonstrating great craftsmanship and quality.