H x W (overall): 12.8 x 9.2 cm (5 1/16 x 3 5/8 in)
Type:
Ceremonial Object
Origin:
Nakhon Sawan province, Central Thailand
Date:
7th-8th century
Period:
Dvaravati period
Description:
In frame, with yellow silk mat. The lower register of this votive tablet depicts the Buddha delivering his first sermon at Sarnath. Flanked by Indra (in royal attire and holding a vajra) to his right, and Brahma (dressed as an ascetic and holding a vase) to his left, the Buddha rests on a throne performing the vitarkamudra, a gesture Pattaraton notes is typical of Dvaravati tablets. The Buddha is seated in Pralambapadasana, the European sitting posture, with his feet resting on a double lotus. Below the pedestal, two deer face inward toward a dharmacakra, representing the Buddha setting the wheel of the dharma in motion through his teachings at Deer Park in Sarnath.
Provenance:
From at least 1973 to 2005
Mr. and Mrs. Osborne and Gratia Hauge [1]
From 2005
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Hauge in 2005 [2]
Notes:
[1] Object file.
Acquired while Mr. and Mrs. Osborne and Gratia Hauge were living in Bangkok (1967-1972 or 1973).
Major sources of acquisitions during this time were dealers in Bangkok, the weekend market in Bangkok, and vendors in Ayutthaya.
[2] Ownership of collected objects sometimes changed between the Hauge families.
According to Taka Hauge, the sources of the stucco heads and related works were the dealers Chai Ma and Peng Seng:
