One of the most recent additions to our catalog is this reproduction of a Buddha head, inspired by the statues found in the temples of Angkor in Cambodia.
In Khmer art from Angkor, there is an abundance of sculptures depicting divine beings from both Hindu and Buddhist religions. Among them, the images of Buddha stand out, often depicted with a serene and smiling face.
This Buddha head exhibits the typical characteristics of Khmer human representations in art: a smiling face, almond-shaped eyes, well-defined eyebrows often merging into one, and lips with outlined outer edges. These representations can be found as standalone sculptures, as reliefs on temple walls, or integrated into the architecture itself, placed above lintels or serving as column capitals.
Angkor was the capital of the Cambodian Khmer Empire (9th to 15th centuries AD), which reached its peak during the 12th century. Its dominion extended from Cambodia, encompassing territories in present-day Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar (Burma). After the decline of Angkor, the vast cities and monastic complexes were abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until their restoration began in the 20th century by archaeologists, turning it into a major tourist destination in recent decades. Until then, the rest of the constructions had been at the mercy of the elements, with the exception of the Angkor Wat temple, which has been preserved and maintained for centuries by the Buddhist monks who continue to inhabit it today. The image of the ancient stone temples emerging from the Cambodian jungle, with their walls covered in tree roots, is highly evocative and has served as inspiration for numerous television series, movies, and video games.
This vast group of monumental cities was built during the reigns of the Khmer dynasty monarchs, with its zenith in the 11th and 12th centuries. Some of these complexes housed temples dedicated to Hindu deities, while others were built as Buddhist sanctuaries. Notably, the Banteay Kdei complex, known as the “Citadel of Monastic Cells,” dates back to the reign of Jayavarman VII in the second half of the 12th century and was used as a Buddhist monastery.
Buddhism reached the Khmer Empire around the 8th century AD, coexisting with Hinduism in Angkor. In Banteay Kdei and other enclosures, you can admire numerous statues of Buddha and other secondary deities, genies, and demons from the Buddhist religion. Born in India in the 5th century BC from the teachings of Siddharta Gautama Buddha, Buddhism spread throughout Asia, reaching Afghanistan in the west and expanding to Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Cambodia, as well as reaching the Far East, from China to Korea and Japan.
The characteristics of art in the various countries where Buddhism was established influenced the representations of Buddha, adapting to the stylistic forms of each culture.
In Buddhist art, Buddha is depicted in various forms, often with a serene and smiling face, expressing ultimate happiness and the peace of final liberation. He can be shown in different postures: sometimes standing, other times sitting cross-legged in the lotus position, or lying on his side. The hand positions, or mudras, are also symbolic gestures, each with its own meaning. He usually has his hair tied up in a bun on his head and, in some cases, features symbolic traits like elongated ears, a symbol of Wisdom, which can be observed in this reproduction.
A sculpture like this Buddha head can inspire us to find a moment of calm and meditation amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Placed in a special room, office, or library, it adds a special touch and brings peace and serenity to the environment. Its presence evokes memories of distant lands, strolls through jungle-covered temples, enveloping us in an atmosphere of adventure and exoticism, spirituality, and mystery.
Cristina
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