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Stele of a Standing Buddha

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
Its dome-like cranial bump (ushnisha), stylized drapery, and elaborately decorated halo suggest that this Buddha was made during the brief reign of the Eastern Wei dynasty in northeastern China. The Buddha makes two hand gestures, or mudras: the hand pointing downward means “your wish is granted,” whereas the hand pointing upward (now partially broken) means “do not be afraid.”
MEDIUM Sandstone
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES 534-550 C.E.
    DYNASTY Eastern Wei Dynasty
    PERIOD Eastern Wei Dynasty
    DIMENSIONS 53 × 23 × 8 in., 271 lb. (134.6 × 58.4 × 20.3 cm, 122.92kg)  (show scale)
    INSCRIPTIONS Painted inscription on reverse, in Chinese characters, to be read. Written in black on back: "30633, XRDXX, MX/1/1/2"
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.3
    CREDIT LINE Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in honor of Arnold Lehman
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Stele of a Standing Buddha, 534-550 C.E. Sandstone, 53 × 23 × 8 in., 271 lb. (134.6 × 58.4 × 20.3 cm, 122.92kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in honor of Arnold Lehman, 2015.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.3_front_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 2015.3_front_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Stele of a Standing Buddha</em>, 534-550 C.E. Sandstone, 53 × 23 × 8 in., 271 lb. (134.6 × 58.4 × 20.3 cm, 122.92kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in honor of Arnold Lehman, 2015.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.3_front_PS9.jpg)