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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)
COLLECTIONS Asian Art
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.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
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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 <em>Avalokiteshvara</em>, 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)

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