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Buddha Sakyamuni seated on Mucilinda Cambodia Angkor 12th century Bronze, cast in five pieces in the lost wax method height 49.5 cm. |
Four weeks after Buddha Sakyamuni began meditating under the Bodhi tree the heavens darkened and a prodigious rain fell unceasingly for seven days. Mucilinda, the mighty serpent king, came from beneath the earth and coiled around the Buddha, protecting him from the downpour with his hoods. When the storm abated Mucilinda bowed before the Buddha and returned to his palace, rejoicing. Sakyamuni is seated in virasana atop the coils of the seven-headed Mucilinda, whose hoods are spread to protect him, his hands in the gesture of meditation, dhyanamudra. The Buddha’s importance is underlined by a crown that covers his ushnisha, symbol of his wisdom, earrings in his elongated earlobes, a finely detailed necklace, and bracelets. The dharmacakra, wheel of the Buddhist doctrine, is depicted on all seven of Mucilinda’s heads and on the back of the sculpture as well. The many temples in Angkor are among the most important religious monuments in the world. Suryavarman II, who ruled Cambodia from circa 1113 to circa 1150, is known as the great warrior king who expanded the Khmer empire and created Angkor Wat. This royal temple mountain was his personal funeral monument and is unrivalled in architectural greatness. The finely modelled sculptures produced during this period, which covers most of the twelfth century, often represent figures standing in grandeur and dignity and are part of the great historical legacy of Khmer civilization. The elongated body shapes and elegance of this piece suggest that it was cast at the beginning of the Angkor Wat period, as it still retains elements of the Baphuon aesthetic. This crowned Buddha image is among the largest and most expressive bronze examples of the Khmer style produced in Angkor. The harmonious construction and excellent balance, give radiant outward expression to the Buddha’s inner life. With striking upright tension, finely modelled features and volumes, and the powerful position of the hands, this Buddhist bronze can be considered a fine and rare masterpiece of Khmer Art [1]. [1] E. C. Bunker and D. Latchford, Adoration and Glory. The Golden Age of Khmer Art, Chicago, 2004, p. 282, no. 97 a&b. J. Menzies et al., Buddha Radiant Awakening, Sydney, 2002, p.129, no. 93. Buddha sheltered by Mucalinda, the serpent king, Angkor, 12th century, The Cleveland Museum of Art, height 58.4 cm. N. Dalsheimer, Les collections du musée de Phnom Penh, L’art du Cambodge ancien, Paris, p. 254, no. 137. Buddha Naga, Angkor, 12th century, height 41 cm. S. E. Lee, Ancient Cambodian Sculpture, The Asia Society inc., New York, 1969, fig. 29. Buddha sheltered by Mucalinda, 12th century, height 16.5 inches. |