Sculpture
12th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Manuscript cover painted on the interior surface with Buddhist deities: in the centre is the goddess Prajnaparamita, suggesting that this was abook cover for an edition of her text, the Astasahasrikapranaparamita. Five Taras accompany her, and the Bodhisattvas, Padmapani and Manjusri flank the group. A kneeling donor couple venerates the ensemble.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted wood |
| Brief description | Painted wood, Nepal, 12th century |
| Physical description | Manuscript cover painted on the interior surface with Buddhist deities: in the centre is the goddess Prajnaparamita, suggesting that this was abook cover for an edition of her text, the Astasahasrikapranaparamita. Five Taras accompany her, and the Bodhisattvas, Padmapani and Manjusri flank the group. A kneeling donor couple venerates the ensemble. |
| Style | |
| Historical context | One of a pair of wooden covers which would have protected the palm-leaf folios of a Buddhist text. The interior is richly decorated with seated deities, the central figure being Prajnaparamita, the personification of the text of that name and regarded as a goddess. She is often associated with Manjusri, seen on the right, adjacent to the kneeling figures of the donors. Fly whisks (cauri), an insignia of royalty, hang between each deity, symbolizing compassion. |
| Production | Nepal |
| Subject depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London, V & A Publication, 2007, p.120, pl.135.
ISBN 9781851775095. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.10-1978 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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