Pair of Thai Celestial Musicians in Patinated and Gilt Bronze – 20th Century

Pair of Thai bronze statuettes depicting two celestial musicians seated and richly dressed, each wearing a tall traditional headdress.

Both figures feature finely detailed costumes, jewellery and musical instruments. Their surfaces combine a pronounced verdigris patina on the exposed areas with partial gilt highlights preserved on the garments and ornaments, creating a particularly decorative contrast.

Their iconography and treatment are rooted in the Thai artistic tradition associated with the Rattanakosin style, reinterpreted during the 20th century.

Each statuette retains its official Thai export lead seal, still attached with its original cord. These seals correspond to the export control system of the Fine Arts Department of Thailand and document their legal export from Thailand. They are an interesting provenance element, although they do not in themselves constitute proof of age.

The two bronzes form a true pair, with variations in posture and instrument that give the ensemble a lively and balanced composition.

Technical Details

• Object: pair of statuettes / decorative sculptures
• Subject: Thai celestial musicians
• Origin: Thailand
• Style: Rattanakosin
• Period: second half of the 20th century
• Material: bronze
• Finish: verdigris patina and partial gilding
• Quantity: 2
• Special feature: original Thai export lead seals retained
• Manufacture: cast bronze with hand-finished surface and patina

Dimensions

For each statuette:

• Height: 19 cm / 7.5 in
• Width: approx. 14 cm / 5.5 in
• Depth: approx. 8 cm / 3.1 in
• Total weight of the pair: approx. 2.4 kg / 5.3 lb

Condition

Good vintage condition.

Both statuettes show a consistent aged patina, with colour variations, oxidation, partial wear to the gilding and minor surface irregularities consistent with age and the casting technique.

The export seals and their cords are preserved.

No major restoration observed.

REF : OLDTHOM1