Buddha Shakyamuni
Figure
16th century (made)
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The style of this Buddha Sakyamuni, and of a series of consecration drawings on paper found inside its base early in the 20th century (see Museum no. IM.121E-1910), shows that it was made by Nepalese craftsmen. The recovery in 2001 of further drawings depicting the lineage of the 'Black Hat' (or Karmarpa) order points to its worship in Tibet and probable commissioning by a Tibetan patron. The image also has a face covered with 'cold' or painted gilding (as opposed to the fire gilding seen on the rest of the body). Such face painting is a peculiarly Tibetan consecration practice, and this reinforces the idea that it comes from Tibet. It was obtained during the British military expedition to the country in 1904.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Buddha Shakyamuni (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Copper with gilt and paint |
| Brief description | Buddha Shakyamuni, copper with gilt and paint, Tibet or Nepal, 16th century, made by Nepalese craftsman |
| Physical description | Buddha Shakyamuni of copper with gilt and paint. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Purchased from the Baillie Gallery |
| Object history | Purchased from the Baillie Gallery. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. RP 1910- 2707M |
| Historical context | Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, retained great popularity in the Himalayas despite the rise of a system of transcendental Buddhas in the Vajrayana school. The gilded figure is seated in a meditation posture on a lotus throne (padmasana), his right hand " touching the earth" (bhumisparsamudra) variously described as an allusion to the Buddha's resistance of the temptations of Mara and of calling the earth to witness his attainment of buddhahood. A series of Tibetan drawings, no later than the fourteenth century, were discovered inside this image, suggesting that it had been in worship in Tibet. It was reportedly collected during the British expedition to Lhasa in 1904. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The style of this Buddha Sakyamuni, and of a series of consecration drawings on paper found inside its base early in the 20th century (see Museum no. IM.121E-1910), shows that it was made by Nepalese craftsmen. The recovery in 2001 of further drawings depicting the lineage of the 'Black Hat' (or Karmarpa) order points to its worship in Tibet and probable commissioning by a Tibetan patron. The image also has a face covered with 'cold' or painted gilding (as opposed to the fire gilding seen on the rest of the body). Such face painting is a peculiarly Tibetan consecration practice, and this reinforces the idea that it comes from Tibet. It was obtained during the British military expedition to the country in 1904. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.121-1910 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
