ABSTRACT
The Third Buddha
Shiela E. Hoey Middleton
A recently published paper illustrated a three-quarter view of a small bronze standing Buddha in the National Museum, Bangkok. This Buddha bears a striking resemblance to one of a group of three acquired in Dhanesar Khera, Uttar Pradesh, India. First described in 1895 by Smith and Hoey, the whereabouts of this statuette (Buddha No.III) are now unknown. Comparison of the two illustrations immediately suggested the possibility that the Bangkok statuette could be the missing 'Third Buddha'. Unfortunately, the limited information available does not support this conclusion, but neither does it rule it out. It is hoped that this brief paper may stimulate further enquiries and bring forward further information. Even if the Bangkok Buddha is not the one described by Smith and Hoey, the possibility that two such very similar statuettes may exist is important in itself.
Bronze Buddha, height 10.5 ins, Bangkok National Museum (no.TP56) (Krairiksh 1999, pl.3, p.14)