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Figure of Buddha

Figure of Buddha

  • Place of origin:

    China (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 600-618 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Gilt bronze

  • Credit Line:

    Bequest of professor Benjamin Rowland Jnr, acquired with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund

  • Museum number:

    FE.1-1974

  • Gallery location:

    China, room 44, case 59

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This figure represents Amitabha, the Buddha of Compassion, who presides over the Western or Pure Land paradise. His cult, widespread in China by the mid 6th century, had a special popular appeal; Buddhist believers were promised to enter his paradise simply by repeating his name with devotion.Here he sits cross-legged on a lotus throne. His right arm is missing from the elbow, but his hand may well have been held in wuweiyin (abhayamudra) position, the gesture of reassurance.

Physical description

Gilded bronze figure of the Buddha Amitabha, seated cross-legged on a lotus throne and wearing a monastic robe with flat and even folds. The right arm is broken off at the elbow, and the left arm is pendant with the hand resting on the left knee.

Place of Origin

China (made)

Date

ca. 600-618 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Gilt bronze

Dimensions

Height: 10 cm

Descriptive line

Gilded bronze figure of the Buddha Amitabha, made China, ca. 600-618

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Rowland, Benjiamin Jr. The Evolution of the Buddha Image New York: Asia House Gallery, 1963, p.139, cat. 43

Exhibition History

The Evolution of the Buddha Image (Asia House Gallery, New York 01/01/1963-31/12/1963)

Labels and date

Gilt bronze figure of the Buddha Amitofo
About 600-618, Sui dynasty
Amitofo presides over the Western paradise of Pure Land into which the souls of the pious may be born. He was a very popular image. [June 1991]

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Gilding

Subjects depicted

Lotus; Buddha, Amitabha

Categories

Metalwork; Buddhism

Collection code

EAS

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Qr_O168515
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