Standing Buddha
Thailand, 7th century
Sandstone
Height: 18 ¼ inches (46.3 cm)

Slim and elegant in the modeling and proportions of its form, this standing Buddha is an excellent example of the aesthetic beauty of early period sculpture from Thailand. The influence of Gupta Period sculpture from Northern Indian sites such as Sarnath and Deogarh is seen. However, the powerful, naturalistic elements found in the Indian prototypes have been refined and polished.

The Buddha stands in the frontal samabhanga posture. He wears a sarong that wraps around his waist and is heroically bare-chested. The hair is arranged in a series of large snail shell shapes that culminate in the ushanisha, or auspicious cranial bump. This arrangement and composition of the ushanisha is narrower and higher than seen in Gupta sculpture. The face is animated by the arched eyebrows and expression-filled eyes.