Head of the Buddha

Description Among the stucco fragments found in the central sanctuary tower at Wat Phra Phai Luang are both long-faced and round-faced heads. There are good reasons for considering these sculptures early Sukhotahai. This head may be connected with the round-faced type, but it is, in comparision, more stretched out. There is another approach to this head- that it betrays direct influence from China. Chinese artisans were no doubt present in Sukhothai. But efforts to turn an elusive impression into a plausible Chinese model have been unsuccessful. Among the possible sources for this head is the pyramidal monument at Wat Phra Phai Luang.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
2/09/1984	Examination	examined for survey
4/09/1991	Treatment	cleaned; loss compensation; other
11/05/1993	Examination	examined for condition
4/18/1994	Treatment	other

Exhibitions

• Unearthly Elegance: Buddhist Art from the Griswold Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1995.

Provenance Wat Phra Phai Luang (?); Alexander B. Griswold, Monkton, Maryland, [presented to the Breezewood Foundation, inv. no. 691]; Walters Art Museum, 1979, by gift.

Inscriptions none

Credit Gift of Alexander B. Griswold, 1979