Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Figure of Buddha

ca. 600-618 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilt bronze
Brief description
Gilded bronze figure of the Buddha Amitabha, made China, ca. 600-618
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.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10cm
Style
Gallery label
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)
Credit line
Bequest of professor Benjamin Rowland Jnr, acquired with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund
Subjects depicted
Summary
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.
Bibliographic reference
Benjamin Rowland Jr. The Evolution of the Buddha Image. London: Asia House; New York, 1963. p.139, Cat.43
Collection
Accession number
FE.1-1974

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Record createdOctober 2, 2008
Record URL
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