A magnificent and well-cast bronze figure of the Buddha seated in vajrasana, displaying the bhumisparsha mudra—the earth-touching gesture that commemorates his triumph over Mara and attainment of enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. The right hand reaches gracefully downward with elongated fingers touching the pedestal, while the left hand rests in dhyana mudra upon the lap, palms upward in deep meditation.
This superb example belongs to the celebrated Phra Singh Sam type of the Chiang Mai school, representing the refined aesthetic of the Lanna Kingdom during its golden age. The Buddha’s serene face bears the classic Lanna ideal: downcast eyes beneath arched brows, a gentle meditative smile, and an oval face framed by pendulous earlobes. The tightly curled hair rises to a tall ushnisha.
He is clad in a diaphanous sanghati robe that drapes elegantly over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder and chest bare. The garment clings closely to the muscular torso, its hemline delineated with precision across the chest and falling in soft folds over the legs and base. The figure sits upon a rounded lotus pedestal with beaded rim, raised on a stepped plinth—an architectural setting typical of important Lanna devotional images.
The bronze exhibits a rich, warm brown patina with subtle golden undertones , attesting to centuries of veneration. The casting is notably fine, with crisp detail in the facial features, robe edges, and pedestal ornament.
Dimensions: 52 cm (20½ in.) high; lap width 30.5 cm (12 in.)
Condition: Very good overall antique condition. Expected surface wear, minor casting flaws, and age-appropriate oxidation consistent with a 600-year-old ritual object. The figure is solidly cast and stable.
Significance: Images of this scale and quality were produced for royal and monastic patronage in the Lanna heartland around Chiang Mai and the Ping River valley. The Phra Singh Sam type is among the most sought-after classifications of Thai Buddhist sculpture, prized for its harmonious proportions and spiritual presence. This piece offers a rare opportunity to acquire a museum-quality Lanna bronze from the classic period of Northern Thai art.
Ideal for distinguished collections of Southeast Asian Buddhist sculpture, Lanna art, or Thai devotional bronzes.