This terracotta sculpture of the Buddha, with its broad facial features, full lips and prominent haircurls, bears all the quintessential qualities of the Dvaravati style. Dvaravati was the first Buddhist kingdom to emerge in central Thailand from around the 7th – 9th century. Its art was influenced by that of Gupta India and later that of the Pala period. The half-closed, downcast eyes convey a sense of serenity characteristic of Dvaravati Buddha images. This particular image bears close comparison to a series of sculptures from U-Thong, an important Dvaravati site. As terracottas such as these are produced by molds, they may all have been part of the same or a similar set.
