Collections: Asian Art

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Seated Divinity

The ancient art of Java, one of the Indonesian islands, includes religious icons that adorned its Hindu and Buddhist temples. This male image can be identified as Hindu by its posture and royal attire and by the sacred thread in the form of a serpent. While the statue's original location remains uncertain, similar examples have been found in the main shrines and side chapels or on the exterior walls of temples.

Medium: Volcanic stone
Place Made: Central region, Java, Indonesia
Dates: 9th century
Dimensions: 26 3/4 x 17 5/16 x 25 9/16 in. (67.9 x 44 x 64.9 cm) (show scale)

Collections:Asian Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southeast Asian Art, 2nd Floor
Accession Number: 87.188.9
Credit Line: Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon
Rights Statement: Creative Commons-BY-NC
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Caption: Seated Divinity, 9th century. Volcanic stone, 26 3/4 x 17 5/16 x 25 9/16 in. (67.9 x 44 x 64.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon, 87.188.9. Creative Commons-BY-NC
Image: front, 87.188.9_front.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don't yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

Catalogue Description: Torso of a male carved in the round possibly Siva Yogasana, carrying a serpent on his right shoulder. The figure is shown seated on decorated cushion, with its left hand resting in its lap, and it is heavily ornamented with jewels, sacred thread and serpent. Its long tresses are carved at left and right of chest. Cf. A. Bernet Kempers, Ancient Indonesian Art (Amsterdam, 1959) p1. 157-158. Condition: void at head and neck, right arm above elbow is also void. Part of left hand, left wrist, and left foot are void. All old breaks. Back is beautifully preserved. Some old abrasion on right shoulder front of right shoulder, jewelry at center and sacred thread, and both knees are unevenly chipped at outermost points. Carved base is also chipped at outermost points. No base or pedestal.
Record Completeness: Best (84%)
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