Avalokiteshvara
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
Bodhisattvas are often depicted standing on either side of a larger image of a seated Buddha, serving as his attendants. This bust of a Bodhisattva from the Indonesian island of Java likely appeared in that context, as indicated by the fly whisk that he holds. In many Asian cultures, fly whisks made of horse- or yak-tail hair were used by servants to wave insects away from their masters, and religious imagery often shows gods attended by fly-whisk bearers.
MEDIUM
Volcanic stone sculpture
DATES
9th century
DIMENSIONS
12 × 11 1/4 × 9 3/4 in., 43 lb. (30.5 × 28.6 × 24.8 cm, 19.5kg)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
85.215.4
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Head and upper torso of a Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Padmapani, elaborately coiffed and decorated with a jeweled diadem, pendant earrings, and heavy necklace torque. The figure is haloed and parts of his attributes are shown: the lotus bud (viewer's left) and a fly whisk (viewer's right). The figure's head is turned slightly to the viewer's left and downturned in a contemplative pose. No carving on sides or back of relief.
Condition: arrived with its own metal stand. Condition is excellent. Void below shoulders.
CAPTION
Avalokiteshvara, 9th century. Volcanic stone sculpture, 12 × 11 1/4 × 9 3/4 in., 43 lb. (30.5 × 28.6 × 24.8 cm, 19.5kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon, 85.215.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.215.4_front_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 85.215.4_front_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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