Two Thai Gilt Bronze Standing Buddha Sculptures

Rattanakosin period, 18th or 19th century, bronze with traces of gilding, the first: a larger crowned and adorned figure depicted in royal attire with a tiered, spire-topped crown terminating in a tall flame finial, flanking flame-form ear ornaments, and an elaborately pierced and chased pleated robe with dense floral brocade decoration, hands raised before the chest in double abhaya mudra, raised on a lotus plinth above a stepped base (15 1/4 x 4 x 4 in.)(some wear and rubbing to gilt with scattered losses; small break with loss to tip of crown finial; with a taped collection number to back; underside with fill), and the second: a smaller uncrowned standing figure of Buddha, the serene face surmounted by a spiked ushnisha and flame finial, wearing a monastic robe draped over the left shoulder and incised overall with fine floral and foliate ground, the right hand raised in abhaya mudra, standing in a gently swaying stance suggestive of the "walking Buddha" tradition, raised on a lotus plinth above a stepped base (11 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3 in.)(some losses and repairs to back; rubbing and wear with some loss to gilt on figure and more on pedestal; underside with felt cover; very nice patina to pedestal).

From the Collection of John and Sandra Christian, III, of New York, San Francisco, and Richmond

John Wortham Christian III (1951–2023) of Richmond, Virginia, was a lifelong traveler and collector whose appreciation for the arts and cultures of Asia developed through decades of international travel. After graduating from Duke University, Christian began his career with Bloomingdale’s in New York, where his work as a buyer and later Vice President of Contemporary Apparel took him extensively throughout Europe, Far East Asia, Southeast Asia, and India in search of emerging designers, artisans, and traditional crafts.

He later moved to San Francisco to join I. Magnin, eventually serving as Vice President and General Merchandise Manager. Travel remained a defining passion throughout his life. Christian and his wife, Sandra, sought out destinations well beyond the conventional tourist routes, traveling extensively in Asia and the Himalayas, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. These journeys fostered their enduring interest in the art, craftsmanship, and material cultures of the countries they visited.

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