Ancient Thai Bronze Buddha Sukhothai Ayutthaya Field Find Metal Lot 500BCE-1800C For Sale

BASIC INFORMATION

A premier, highly educational 10-piece archaeological study assemblage comprising authentic field finds recovered across regional Thailand. This curated lot serves as a superb material chronicle of Southeast Asian history, tracing the technological progression from ancient prehistoric lead metallurgy up through the golden medieval bronze-casting eras of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms. Please Note: This listing is strictly for the ten (10) metal artifacts and fragments; the wooden display riser bases are photographic props and are not included in the sale.

CATALOGUED COLLECTION INVENTORY

# Artifact Typology Estimated Era / Culture Material Size (Est.) Diagnostic Scholarly & Technical Details 1 Crowned Seated Buddha Torso Fragment Ayutthaya Period
(16th–17th C. CE) Bronze Outer Shell /
Black Clay Core ~55 mm H
~45 mm W Maravijaya posture torso featuring traditional royal attire. Base is adorned with stylized flame-triangles. Illustrates a rare technical example where the thin outer bronze sheared away to beautifully expose the rock-hard, carbon-rich blackened ancient clay manufacturing core underneath. 2 Prehistoric Slit Earring / Adornment Iron Age / Proto-Historic
(c. 500 BCE–400 CE) Native Lead Alloy ~32 mm Dia. The oldest specimen in the collection. A heavy, penannular slit ring / ear plug representative of early Metal Age settlements. Highly prized by curators as an index type that predates widespread regional silver trade. 3 Cosmetic Grooming Tweezers Sukhothai Period
(14th–15th C. CE) Cast Bronze ~65 mm L An elite personal utilitarian utensil showcasing a classic flared pincet head transitioning smoothly into an elongated, rounded handle grip. Genuine archaeological field find. 4 Smoking Pipe Bowl & Elbow Ayutthaya Period
(17th–18th C. CE) Cast Bronze ~68 mm L Features a smoothly flared pipe bowl transitioning into a curved elbow terminal designed to mount onto a bamboo or wooden reed stem. 5 Lost-Wax Wrapped Stem Sleeve Ayutthaya Period
(17th–18th C. CE) Cast Bronze ~53 mm L A highly decorative structural cylinder displaying a complex segmented spiral ring pattern. Hand-modeled using ancient lost-wax thread wrapping to act as a heat-shield sleeve connector. 6 Chedi-Form Spire Box Lid (A) Sukhothai to Ayutthaya Era
(14th–16th C. CE) Cast Bronze ~25 mm Dia. The stepped cover from a high-status lime container or cosmetic ointment jar. Intricately incised with dense concentric rings and tiny geometric notches mimicking a sacred pagoda temple spire. 7 Tiered Box Lid Fragment (B) Sukhothai to Ayutthaya Era
(14th–16th C. CE) Cast Bronze ~28 mm Dia. A stepped, multi-tiered lime container lid displaying a heavier, encrusted archaeological weathering profile with a robust copper matrix core. 8 Multi-Socket Settings Ring Unknown Ancient Era
(Highly Antique) Native Lead Alloy ~20 mm Dia. An archaic finger ring or band cast with a sequence of deep circular recessed sockets wrapped around the outer band. Sockets originally housed early trade glass beads or clay pellets that have since weathered away. 9 Structural Spindle Axle Sleeve Medieval Period
(Sukhothai Sphere) Cast Bronze ~47 mm L A robust, heavy-walled hollow bronze tube accented with raised structural collar bands. Likely utilized as a banner guide, tool component, or premium weapon fitting spacer. 10 Prehistoric Lead Ring Fragment Iron Age / Proto-Historic
(c. 500 BCE–400 CE) Native Lead Alloy Miniature Scale A small, highly mineralized native metal fragment or ring element recovered from the oldest archaeological horizon in the lot.

PHYSICAL CONDITION REPORT

• Overall Collection State: Evaluated as a stable, un-restored archaeological study group [Excavated Fragmentary Field Find State].
• Patina Profiles: Displays an incredible spectrum of authentic subterranean oxidation layers. The bronze implements exhibit a mixture of smooth malachite-green crusting, velvety charcoal-black tones, and azurite blue blooms. The prehistoric lead components feature a classic, heavy whitish-grey oxide crusting and deep earthen mineralization that completely validates their extreme antiquity.
• Structural Details: All items are offered in pure, as-found condition with no modern alterations, no chemical enhancements, and no cosmetic touch-ups. Features expected historical breaks, fragmentation lines, and age-appropriate softening of features that enhance their scientific and diagnostic value for collectors.

PROVENANCE & HISTORICAL CONTEXT

• Historical Context: Formed entirely from authentic agricultural field finds across Thailand, this multi-era collection offers an exceptional hands-on look at the evolving metallurgical traditions of the region. The oldest item in the lot—the prehistoric lead slit ring—highlights the early native metal-smithing traditions of the Iron Age before advanced kilns allowed for the widespread manufacture of high-tin bronze. As the centuries progressed into the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras, bronze became the medium of choice for both spiritual artwork and luxury domestic tools. From the fascinating layered casting technique seen inside the hollow-core Ayutthaya Buddha to the intricate incised geometry of the Sukhothai cosmetic tweezers and chedi-form betel containers, this 10-piece group serves as a neat, highly comprehensive educational display for advanced students of Southeast Asian archaeology.