Buddha Statue - Antique Khmer Style Mounted Bronze Baphuon Buddha Head Statue - 29cm/12"

Antique Khmer Style Mounted Bronze Baphuon Buddha Head Statue - 29cm/12"

Measures (Height) 29cm/12"

A finely cast Khmer-style bronze Buddha head inspired by the refined sculptural language of the Baphuon period in Cambodia, traditionally associated with the mid-eleventh century. Measuring 29 cm / 12 inches in height, including its display stand, the sculpture is distinguished by its tranquil facial expression, beautifully structured hair, lotus-petal ushnisha, and richly variegated green-brown patina.

The Buddha’s face carries the composed, inward-looking serenity for which Khmer Buddhist sculpture is celebrated. The eyes are open yet softly lowered in contemplation, while a strong, continuous arched brow line, aquiline nose, defined lips, and gently rounded chin create a balance of spiritual authority and calm humanity. Three subtle horizontal neck lines—often called “beauty lines”—complete the formal treatment of the head and neck.

This work is particularly appealing for the contrast between its quiet facial modelling and the intricate treatment of the hair and ushnisha. The surface shows a deep, naturally varied bronze patina of green, turquoise, brown, and darker charcoal tones, which gives the sculpture both depth and an individual aged character.

Mounted on a fitted black wooden stand, the Buddha head is ready for display in a home, office, meditation room, or collection of Cambodian and Southeast Asian art.

Baphuon-inspired Khmer style

The Baphuon style takes its name from the Baphuon temple at Angkor Thom and is associated with Khmer art of the eleventh century. Baphuon sculpture is admired for its finely controlled modelling, measured proportions, and expressive yet restrained faces. Typical features include a continuous brow line, wide almond-shaped eyes, a broad or strongly defined nose, delicately shaped lips, and carefully articulated hair.

The present head embodies these Baphuon-inspired characteristics through its calm, symmetrical face, sweeping eyebrow ridge, prominent nose, open almond-shaped eyes, and orderly hair treatment. It should be described as Khmer-style, Baphuon style, unless documented provenance and specialist examination support attribution to the historical eleventh-century period itself.

Lotus-petal ushnisha

Above the forehead rises the ushnisha, the cranial protuberance that is one of the principal signs of Buddhahood. It symbolises transcendent wisdom, awakened consciousness, and the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment.

Here, the ushnisha is constructed in tiers of stylised lotus petals, a treatment closely connected with Khmer and Khmer-influenced Buddhist imagery. The lotus is a central symbol in Buddhist art because it grows from muddy water but blossoms clean above it. It therefore represents purity, spiritual growth, compassion, and the realisation of enlightenment amid the conditions of ordinary life. Khmer and related Buddhist images frequently use lotus-petal forms in crowns, ushnishas, jewellery, and lotus pedestals.

Khmer facial features

The head displays a number of classic Khmer-inspired details:

• Continuous brow ridge — the eyebrows appear as one sweeping, raised line across the forehead, a feature associated with Khmer sculptural traditions.

• Almond-shaped eyes — open but contemplative, suggesting a state of heightened awareness rather than an outward gaze.

• Aquiline nose and rimmed lips — the carefully defined nose and mouth give the face both dignity and expressive presence.

• Scalloped inner ears — the ear interiors are rendered with decorative, scalloped contours, adding texture and refinement.

• Long earlobes — an iconographic reminder of Prince Siddhartha’s earlier life of royal privilege, before he renounced worldly possessions in search of liberation.

Key Features

• Antique Khmer-style bronze Buddha head in Baphuon style.

• Height: 29 cm / 12 inches, including the display stand.

• Cambodia-inspired Buddhist sculpture reflecting the eleventh-century Baphuon artistic tradition.

• Prominent, tiered ushnisha formed from stylised lotus-petal motifs.

• Peaceful and introspective expression with open, almond-shaped contemplative eyes.

• Strong continuous brow ridge, aquiline nose, rimmed lips, and gently rounded chin.

• Long earlobes recalling the Buddha’s princely life before renunciation.

• Finely rendered scalloped inner ears.
  

• Detailed hair treatment combining close-set curls and patterned, tiered forms.

• Richly variegated bronze patina in green, turquoise, dark brown, and charcoal tones.

• Presented on a fitted black wooden display stand.

• A meaningful focal point for a meditation space, study, office, or collection of Khmer and Southeast Asian art.

FAQs

Who does this sculpture depict?

The sculpture depicts the Buddha, identified by the ushnisha, tightly arranged hair curls, elongated earlobes, tranquil expression, and formal treatment of the face. Because it is a head rather than a complete image with hand gestures or attributes, it is most accurate to describe it simply as a Buddha head, rather than assign it to a specific named Buddha.

What is Baphuon style?

Baphuon style refers to a major Khmer artistic tradition of the eleventh century, named after the Baphuon temple complex at Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Sculpture associated with this style is often characterised by refined modelling, strong symmetry, continuous brow lines, broad or almond-shaped eyes, carefully defined lips, and elaborate hair arrangements.

This sculpture is best described as Khmer-style, Baphuon style. A firm historical Baphuon-period date would require documented provenance, technical study, and specialist examination.

What is the ushnisha?

The ushnisha is the cranial protuberance at the top of the Buddha’s head. It is one of the traditional marks of a fully awakened Buddha and represents profound wisdom, spiritual insight, and the transcendence of ordinary limitation.

In this example, the ushnisha is made up of stylised lotus-petal tiers, reinforcing the theme of enlightenment and spiritual unfolding.

Why are lotus petals used on the ushnisha?

The lotus symbolises purity and awakening because it rises from muddy water but unfolds into a clean, beautiful flower above the surface. Lotus-petal forms on the ushnisha visually express the Buddha’s spiritual attainment and the gradual opening of wisdom and compassion.

Why does the Buddha have long earlobes?

The long earlobes refer to the Buddha’s youth as Prince Siddhartha. According to Buddhist tradition, he wore heavy royal earrings before renouncing palace life. His elongated ears remain as a reminder that lasting fulfilment is found through wisdom and compassion rather than wealth or social status.

What does the green patina mean?

The green and turquoise tones are part of the bronze’s present patina, created by surface changes in the copper alloy over time. Bronze may develop greens, browns, blacks, and blue-green hues through oxidation, handling, storage, environmental exposure, and past surface history.

The patina gives the sculpture visual depth, but it cannot alone confirm a particular age or historical period.

How should I display the Buddha head?

The head is supplied on a fitted wooden stand and should be displayed indoors on a stable, level surface. It works particularly well in a meditation room, study, library, entryway, or private collection display.

For a respectful presentation, position it above floor level in a clean, calm space, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, moisture, and areas where it could be knocked.

How should I care for the bronze?

• Handle the sculpture only by the secure lower section or stand.

• Do not lift it by the ushnisha, earlobes, or other projecting elements.

• Dust gently with a soft, dry brush or microfibre cloth.

• Do not use metal polish, oil, wax, abrasive cloths, solvents, or household cleaners.

• Do not attempt to remove green surface deposits at home.

• Seek advice from a qualified metal conservator if bright-green, powdery, or actively flaking corrosion appears.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - We have been offering SE Asian Art for many years and are proud of the reputation we have developed for fair and honest listings. However, if for any reason, whatsoever, you are unhappy with your purchase please just let us know and we will provide a full refund. We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.