Head of Buddha in grey sandstone, eyes half closed, sketching a slight smile, the wavy headdress and surmounted by the ushnisha (small restorations). H. 21 cm. Cambodia, Khmer period, Bayon, 12th-13th century. Provenance : Collection of Mr. Paul A. (1899-1976), former director of the chalcography of the Louvre, founder then president of the Presses Universitaires de France from 1934 to 1968. Noted "ach. 1944, smiling Buddha head, soft gray sandstone, Angkor, Bayon style, late 12th c. - early 13th century" on a handwritten slip. Accompanied by a sworn statement from the collector's daughter-in-law confirming that the object came from her father-in-law's collection. Expert : Mrs Alice Jossaume, cabinet Portier, 01 48 00 03 41 contact@cabinetportier.com