BUDDHA MUCHALINDA.
Khmer. Angkor period. 11th/12th c. Bayon style.

Grey sandstone with natural patina and residue of lacquer gilding. Unrestored condition. The crowned Buddha with his hands in dhyana mudr? seating in ardha padm鈙ana on the coiled-up body of Muchalinda; the Naga-king; whose seven heads form a mandorla behind the pate of Buddha. Weight 257;2kg; height 126cm; width 55cm; depth 29cm. On a triangular wood base. Condition A/B.

Provenance:
-From a German private collection; acquired before the 1960s.

The depiction shows a mythological episode from the life of the historic Buddha. Someday; when he was meditating a thunder with heavy rain occurred. Muchalinda; the king of Naga (snakes); came out of a nearby lake and invited Buddha to sit on his coiled-up body. He then put up his seven heads above the head of Buddha to protect him from rain. After the rain; Muchalinda changed back to his royal appearance; bowed and went back to his kingdom.
Art trade; Van Ham.