This beautiful bronze head emphasises the peaceful character and deep spirituality of the Buddha through his expression and adornment. His high eyebrows are strongly defined, emphasising his downward gaze. This is combined with a serene smiling expression, conveying the inner peace that he has been able to achieve through focused meditation. His eyes are slightly open, showing the details of the pupil picked out in black and white paint. The Buddha’s earlobes are extended down towards his shoulders. Within East Asian belief, particularly Buddhism, large ears are seen as a sign of wisdom and compassion. The Buddha is often depicted with elongated ears to symbolise his ability to hear the cries of those who are suffering, and his sympathy and willingness to help ease their pain. It is therefore a comforting image, as it reminds those who see it that there is hope for an end to their sufferings through the search for enlightenment and the compassion of those who have reached it. His head is decorated with elaborate tight curls to represent his hair, culminating in an ushnisha. This rounded bump depicts a protuberance on the top of the head which is one of the Buddha’s key characteristics and which symbolises his enlightenment. The ushnisha is topped with a highly decorated pointed flame, which is an added feature representing illumination.