Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

Sculpture

Figure
8th century-9th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The figure of Sakyamuni Buddha wears a monastic robe that clings to the body in a convention derived from earlier north Indian, post Gupta period, sculptures. Both hands are raised in the double gesture of vitarka mudra expressing exposition of a point of doctrine. The double vitarka mudra was a Dvaravati innovation which remained popular for many centuries.


Object details

Object type
TitleSculpture (Generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Standing figure of the Buddha preaching.
Physical description
Standing figure of the Buddha preaching, Dvaravati culture.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.5cm
  • Depth: 4cm
  • Width: 9.5cm
Style
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
STANDING BUDDHA Bronze Dvaravati kingdom, Central Thailand Ca. 8th century IS 138-1999 The figure of Sakyamuni Buddha wears a monastic robe that clings to the body in a convention derived from earlier north Indian, post Gupta period, sculptures. Both hands are raised in the double gesture of vitarka mudra expressing exposition of a point of doctrine. The double vitarka mudra was a Dvaravati innovation which remained popular for many centuries. (1/10/2008)
Object history
Purchased from Monica Gunter, via Danart, beneficiary of the estate of her father Alex Biancardi.
The purchase was made possible with the assistance of Jean-Michel Beurdeley, Fausta and John Eskenazi, Alexander Gotz, Henry Ginsburg, Jonathan Hope, Peter Marks, Anna-Maria and Fabio Rossi, Spink and Son Ltd, Tom and Danielle White, Doris Wiener and an anonymous donor.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The figure of Sakyamuni Buddha wears a monastic robe that clings to the body in a convention derived from earlier north Indian, post Gupta period, sculptures. Both hands are raised in the double gesture of vitarka mudra expressing exposition of a point of doctrine. The double vitarka mudra was a Dvaravati innovation which remained popular for many centuries.
Collection
Accession number
IS.138-1999

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 27, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest