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Monumental Pair of Antique Fire-Gilded Thai Temple Lions (Singha) – Dharmachakra Seal – 18th Century – H 104 cm / ~90 kg
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Monumental Pair of Antique Fire-Gilded Thai Temple Lions (Singha) – Dharmachakra Seal – 18th Century – H 104 cm / ~90 kg

€50,000Bid from €45,000
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About this seller
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Damme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales
Product description
Museum-Quality Pair of Monumental Antique Fire-Gilt Thai Temple Lions (Singha Guardians) – Early Rattanakosin (Siam) – 18th Century – H 104 cm / ~90 kg **Specifications Monumental Pair:** * **Singha A:** 103 cm high | 44 cm wide | Weight: 38.00 kg * **Singha B:** 104 cm high | 44 cm wide | Weight: 49.60 kg * **Combined Weight:** 87.60 kg (Extremely heavy, thick-walled royal castings) We proudly present one of the most monumental, rare, and museum-worthy discoveries in the Asian art trade: a fully intact, surviving, and matching pair of monumental antique bronze Thai Temple Lions (Singhas) from the late 18th to early 19th century. With their imposing palace size of over a meter high and a massive combined weight of no less than 87.60 kilograms, this set represents a royal court commission of the highest category from the early Rattanakosin period (Kingdom of Siam). **Majestic Spiritual Protection, Virility & The Dharmachakra Seal** Within the royal Thai Buddhist tradition, these iconic Singha guardians adorn the gates of the most sacred temple complexes (such as Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok) in pairs, anchoring an unwavering atmosphere of spiritual security and sovereignty: * **The Shield Against Negativity:** With their wide-open, mesmerizing mouths, stylized teeth... and flaming manes, these lions function as an energetic shield, keeping obstacles and external unrest out of the gate with brute force. Deep in the crevices of their mouths lies the original, unrestored casting skin with heavy cuprite oxidation and the fully mineralized crystals of the historical borax flux. * **Dynamic Life Energy:** The master goldsmith endowed the lions with powerful, traditional, and explicit male anatomy. In Eastern iconography, this symbolizes virility, active spiritual energy, and the unshakeable power to overcome evil. * **The Dharmachakra Seal:** A very special... and ritually crucial detail is located at the rear, centered between the hind legs directly beneath the tail cast flat over the back. Here, a beautiful Buddhist wheel / sun wheel (Dharmachakra) is cast in relief. This sacred medallion seals the sculptures in their spiritual task as active protectors of Buddhist law. **Microscopic Evidence of Royal Fire-Gilding** The exterior of this pair provides irrefutable, scientific evidence of pure pre-industrial age and superior metal craftsmanship: * **Massive Gold-Amalgam Skin:** Microscopic Dino-Lite examination reveals that the gold is fired directly onto the bronze as a thick, layered "sugar skin" of genuine 24-carat gold-amalgam. The surface shows the original, deep scratches from the agate stone with which the goldsmith manually polished the gold in the 18th century. * **Pre-industrial Craftsmanship & Weight Difference:** The significant difference in weight (38 kg versus 49.6 kg) is the ultimate proof of traditional lost-wax casting. This is caused by natural variations in the wall thickness of the hand-sculpted wax model and residual casting material deep within the cavities of the legs and torso. **Product Details of the Set** **Subject:** Pair of Royal Thai Temple Lions (Singha Guardians) **Material:** Heavy cast bronze / copper-rich temple alloy with original, thick fire-gilding (gold-amalgam) and deep temple patina **Origin / Style:** Thailand (Siam) / Early Rattanakosin period (Royal Style) **Dating:** 18th – early 19th Century **Dimensions Singha 1:** H 103 × W 44 cm | Weight: 38.00 kg **Dimensions Singha 2:** H 104 × W 44 cm | Weight: 49.60 kg **Combined Weight:** 87.60 kg **Condition:** Exceptional, undamaged antique condition with a fabulously aged gold skin, authentic agate traces, and deep temple patina. Fully original and 100% free of nonsense. Additional details: - Brand: 1stbuddha - Style: Thaise Tempel - Style: Rattanakosin - Style: Koninklijke Stijl - Material: Koperlegering - Material: Vuurverguld - Material: Goud-amalgaam - Colour: Goud - Colour: Patina - Period: 18e – vroege 19e Eeuw - availability: in_stock - product_type: Beeld / sculptuur
Specifications
CategorySculptureConditionExcellentMaterialBronzeSeller locationDamme, GermanyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup

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About this seller
Private seller
Damme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales