Buddha Statue - Antique Khmer Style Bronze Lotus Flower Buddha Head - 37cm/15"

Antique Khmer Style Khmer Lotus Flower Buddha Head - 37cm/15"

Measures - (Height) 37cm/15"

A contemplative Khmer-style bronze Buddha head, distinguished by a softly modelled face, long pendulous earlobes, tightly rendered curls, and a prominent lotus-bud-shaped ushnisha. Measuring 37 cm / 15 inches in height, including its display mount, this expressive sculpture offers a powerful yet tranquil focal point for a collection of Southeast Asian art, a meditation space, or a carefully considered interior.

The Buddha’s face is composed and inward-looking. Gently arched eyebrows, open yet meditative eyes, an aquiline nose, expressive lips, and a firm chin create an image of quiet dignity and spiritual resolve. While the eyes appear open, their lowered gaze conveys reflection, compassion, and an awareness directed beyond ordinary distraction.

Above the head rises a large, tiered lotus-bud ushnisha, an important mark of Buddha-hood. In Buddhist imagery, the ushnisha signifies the Buddha’s supreme knowledge, awakened consciousness, and spiritual attainment. Khmer Buddha images commonly incorporate a finial or lotus-bud form above the cranial protuberance, making this a particularly fitting feature for a Cambodian-style Buddha image.

The bronze has an appealing, richly variegated surface of dark brown, green, and turquoise tones. This patina enhances the contrast between the smoothly modelled facial planes and the textured curls of the hair, while adding depth and individual character to the work.

Mounted on a tailored black wooden stand, the head is ready for secure display.

Khmer-inspired Buddhist imagery

The sculpture draws on the enduring visual vocabulary of Khmer Buddhist art, the artistic tradition associated with Cambodia and the great temple centres of the Angkor period. Khmer Buddha images are celebrated for their serenity, balanced proportions, elongated earlobes, composed facial expressions, and refined treatment of the ushnisha.

A Buddhist image is recognised not only through its peaceful expression but through a group of sacred marks: the ushnisha, elongated ears, formal hair curls, and the urna—the small raised mark at the forehead, where visible. The National Museum of Cambodia identifies the cranial protuberance and long earlobes among the distinguishing features of Khmer Buddha images.

The lotus-bud ushnisha

The ushnisha is often described as the cranial protuberance or wisdom bump that appears at the crown of the Buddha’s head. It is not an ordinary hairstyle or crown; it represents the Buddha’s elevated consciousness and the insight gained through awakening.

Its lotus-bud form intensifies this meaning. The lotus emerges from muddy water and blossoms clean above it, making it a longstanding Buddhist symbol of purity, compassion, spiritual growth, and enlightenment. Here, the lotus-shaped finial makes the Buddha’s spiritual attainment visible in sculptural form.

The elongated earlobes

The Buddha’s long earlobes refer to Siddhartha Gautama’s life before his renunciation. As a prince, he wore heavy jewellery that stretched his ears. After leaving the palace to pursue the path of liberation, he relinquished those ornaments, but the elongated earlobes remained in Buddhist iconography as a reminder that lasting fulfilment lies beyond wealth, status, and material attachment.

Key Features

• Antique Khmer-style bronze Buddha head from Cambodia.

• Overall height: 37 cm / 15 inches.

• Serene, introspective expression with lowered gaze and softly arched brows.

• Large, tiered lotus-bud-shaped ushnisha, representing awakened wisdom and spiritual attainment.

• Textured hair rendered in closely formed curls.

• Long, pendulous earlobes, recalling the Buddha’s princely life before renunciation.

• Finely defined facial features, including expressive lips, aquiline nose, and firm chin.

• Richly variegated dark brown, green, and turquoise bronze patina.

• Presented on a bespoke black wooden display stand.

• A striking work for a meditation room, private collection, office, or interior featuring Asian art.

• Khmer and Angkor-inspired style, reflecting Cambodia’s enduring Buddhist sculptural tradition.

FAQs

Who does this sculpture depict?

The sculpture depicts the Buddha, recognised through the ushnisha, tightly arranged hair curls, elongated earlobes, and tranquil expression. Without an inscription, secure archaeological context, or complete figure with hand gesture and attributes, it is most accurate to identify it simply as a Khmer-style Buddha head, rather than assign it to a specific named Buddha or historical moment in his life.

What is the ushnisha?

The ushnisha is the prominent cranial protuberance at the top of the Buddha’s head. It is one of the principal marks of Buddhahood and symbolises supreme wisdom, spiritual knowledge, and awakened consciousness.

In Khmer-style imagery, the ushnisha is often topped with a finial or lotus-bud form, as seen here.

Why is the ushnisha shaped like a lotus bud?

The lotus is a central Buddhist symbol of purity and awakening. It rises from muddy water but flowers clean and beautiful above it, making it an image of spiritual development within the conditions of ordinary life.

A lotus-bud finial above the ushnisha therefore reinforces the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment and the gradual unfolding of wisdom and compassion.

Why does the Buddha have long earlobes?

The elongated earlobes recall the Buddha’s early life as Prince Siddhartha. Before renouncing palace life, he wore heavy earrings associated with wealth and royal status. In Buddhist art, the stretched ears remain as a reminder that he left material privilege behind in search of liberation.

Is this an original Angkor-period Buddha head?

The sculpture is appropriately described as antique Khmer-style. A precise Angkor-period date cannot be established from photographs alone. Reliable dating and period attribution would require consideration of provenance, casting technology, material analysis, surface history, condition, and specialist examination.

For accuracy, “Antique Khmer-Style Bronze Buddha Head, Cambodia” is a strong and responsible catalogue description.

What does the green and turquoise surface indicate?

The green and turquoise areas are part of the bronze’s present patina. Copper-alloy objects may develop varied brown, green, blue-green, and dark surface tones through oxidation, environmental exposure, handling, and the history of cleaning or storage.

This attractive patina adds visual depth but, on its own, cannot prove a specific date or period of manufacture.

Is the hole or opening beneath the finial damage?

The opening below the ushnisha is visible in the photograph and should be treated as a condition feature. It may reflect a casting void, old loss, separation, or the object’s previous construction or mounting history. It does not detract from the head’s strong overall visual presence.

How should the Buddha head be displayed?

The head is supplied on a fitted wooden base and should be displayed indoors on a stable, level surface. Keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, damp conditions, and areas of frequent contact.

For a respectful presentation, place it at an elevated level in a calm setting—such as a study, meditation room, entrance hall, or private collection display—rather than directly on the floor.

How should I care for the bronze?

• Handle the sculpture only by the securely mounted lower section or stand.

• Do not lift it by the ushnisha, earlobes, or other projecting details.

• Dust gently using a soft, dry brush or microfibre cloth.

• Never use metal polish, abrasives, oils, solvents, household cleaners, or commercial bronze cleaners.

• Avoid attempting to clean green corrosion or encrustation at home.

• Consult a qualified metal conservator if you notice powdery, bright-green, or unstable corrosion.

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