Huge Chinese Cast Iron Buddha Head

This most unusual and extraordinarily powerful Buddha head, finely done in a several part mold from cast iron, is much larger than lifesize. The face is full and ovoid in shape, the eyes elongated under full lids, the eyebrows and nose featured, the lips smiling. The hair is done in layers of repeated curls, piled up on top of the head. At the central point above the brow and below the apex, is a disc-shaped "meditation focal point". The ear-lobes are distended. Overall, the sentiment expressed is of benign transcendence. This impressive and rare iron casting was most likely once attached to a seated body, apparently of wood, now decayed away. In China, iron was long considered a precious material having mystic "protective" properties. The manufacture of such a large iron Buddha head must have been an extremely difficult and was clearly done for an image for a significant Buddhist shrine. The surface shows mold-marks and is in fine condition, with natural rust-colored patination, now stabilized. Some burial soils still intact.
From the Southern Song dynasty, China, circa 1127-1279 AD.

Height: 16.75 inches (42.5 cm.)

BU059