Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangtze River thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangtze River

Figure of Bodhidharma
1800-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bodhidharma, or Da Mo (active AD 470-616), was an Indian monk who travelled to China in the 6th century bringing with him Buddhist scriptures, and is regarded as the founder of Chan Buddhism (Zen in Japanese).

He is often depicted standing on waves, in the moment of crossing the Yangzi River. Porcelain figures of Bodhidharma are very popular and were used on altars in households and temples.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBodhidharma Crossing the Yangtze River (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Porcelain with white glaze
Brief description
Figure of Damo, porcelain with white glaze, Dehua, China, Ming-Qing dynasty, 1620-1720
Physical description
Porcelain figure of Damo (Bodhidharma) standing on water waves, wearing a shroud and carrying a shoe in his hand, the base is concave and unglazed.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.3cm
From Register
Styles
Gallery label
  • Figure of Bodhidharma, glazed porcelain About 1620-1720, Ming-Qing dynasties Dehua ware from Fujian province in south China. This historical figure, founder of Zen Buddhism, is shown crossing the Yangtze river on a reed carrying one of his shoes. Salting Bequest(1991)
  • Ta-Mo (Bodhidharma) crossing the Yang-tse 'Blanc de Chine' porcelain Chinese (Tê-hua, Fukien province) probably 18th century Salting bequest(18/11/1952)
  • Figure of Damo Ming-Qing dynasty 1620-1720 This figure of Damo combines the popular image of the monk standing on waves, in the moment of crossing the Yangzi River in China, and the legend of him walking with one shoe in his hand. Porcelain with white glaze Dehua kilns, south China Salting Bequest Museum no. C.545-1910(2009)
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Bodhidharma, or Da Mo (active AD 470-616), was an Indian monk who travelled to China in the 6th century bringing with him Buddhist scriptures, and is regarded as the founder of Chan Buddhism (Zen in Japanese).

He is often depicted standing on waves, in the moment of crossing the Yangzi River. Porcelain figures of Bodhidharma are very popular and were used on altars in households and temples.
Bibliographic references
  • Hobson, R.L. Wares of the Ming Dynasty. Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1962. pl. 176.
  • Hobson, R.L. Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, vol. II. London: Cassell & Co. Ltd., 1915. next to p. 112, plate 86, fig. 3.
  • Honey, W.B. Guide to the Later Chinese Porcelain. London: Board of Education, 1927. pp. 63 and 86, pl. 108A.
Collection
Accession number
C.545-1910

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Record createdAugust 15, 2008
Record URL
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