Arita Blue and White Charger
ca. 1680
1 of 3
Object Label
The Swat Valley, in the mountainous north of modern Pakistan, was a center for Buddhist practice and learning for centuries. This little Buddha image, made in the regional style of Swat, was small enough for a devotee to carry on their person. With his lower hand held palm-out, this Buddha makes the gesture of wish granting or blessing, known as varada mudra.
Caption
Arita Blue and White Charger, ca. 1680. Porcelain, blue underglaze, in Wan Li style, 3 x 18 1/8 in. (7.6 x 46 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Bertram H. Schaffner, 1993.106.10. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Frequent Art Questions
What is a charger?
In a western context a charger is a decorative plate used in formal dinner services. It is placed underneath the plate one eats from, so it adds a splash of color or design that isn't coming into contact with food. In other cultures, chargers are also used as serving plates. The term in general refers to any plate that is too large to be a single person's dish. In the Middle East, these large round dishes were used communally.
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