Ancient Kingdom Of Siam, 16th Century, Large Bronze Hand Of Buddha In Abhaya Mudra Position

Origin: Ancient Kingdom of Siam (nowadays Thailand)
Period: XVIth century
Material: Bronze
Without base: 25 cm
Condition: Beautiful brown patina
Provenance: From a set from a private collection

The piece is presented on a customed bronze base.

Important right hand in bronze of Buddha in the position of Abhaya Mudra (absence of fear). We recognize here the artistic style of Sukhothai, characterized by an elongated hand ending in fingers with independent movements, like "lotus petals starting to bloom". This particular gesture of Abhaya Mudra is mainly found in the iconography of Thailand and Laos where the Blessed One is represented in a standing or walking position, his arm folded, his hand at shoulder height, palm outward, fingers drawn up.
This mudra refers to a particular episode in the life of the Awakened One. Devadatta, the Buddha's cousin, eager to replace him at the head of the community, tries several times to remove him. Thus in the city of Rajagrha, with the complicity of Dhirana, the mahout of the palace, Devadatta cowardly against the Buddha the elephant Nalagiri. The Blessed One by a simple gesture of appeasement calms the animal, thus demonstrating the virtues of the Buddhist faith which are exercised on all beings, from the gods to the most humble animals.