Ava 15th Century Bronze Buddha Head
February 2014 Auction by Far East Asian Art

Still bearing very slight traces of gold leaf, this small 15th century bronze head of Buddha is from Burma's Ava Period (1287-1752). It most likely was commissioned and donated by a family as an act of merit, and was buried under a stupa for centuries. The Burmese of the time were skilled metalworkers. When a bronze Buddha image was cast, even a small one such as this, astrologers were called in to name the most auspicious day and hour for the casting, and monks cleansed the site of evil spirits...