Vairocana
Shrine
14th century (made)
14th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a relief image of Vairochana, the central figure in the mandala of the five transcendent meditational Buddhas. Each Buddha in the Tibetan tradition has a symbol, colour and directional location, and each is associated with the transformation of a negativity into an aspect of wisdom. Vairochana is associated with the transformation of anger, has the wheel as his symbol and is shown, as here, making the Dharmachakra, the gesture (or mudra) of teaching. The image is an early one and, together with the throne surround decorated with elephants and mythical animals, still shows affinities to north and east Indian art of the Pala dynasty.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Vairocana (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood with gilding and lacquer |
| Brief description | Shrine with figure of Vairocana, carved wood with gilding and lacquer, Tibet, 14th century |
| Physical description | Shrine with figure of Vairocana, carved wood with gilding and lacquer. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | (It has an inscription in Tibetan on the back. ) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased from J.C. Stevens |
| Object history | Purchased from J.C. Stevens, 38 King Street, Covent Garden. 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- 2009M |
| Historical context | Vairocana is the eldest of the meditation Buddhas, derived from spiritual aspects of the historical Buddha. He is associated with the sun and is probably descended from an early solar deity. He is attended by elephants and rearing mythical creatures (yalis). A monstrous kirttimukha hovers above to deter disbelievers and to protect the faithful. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a relief image of Vairochana, the central figure in the mandala of the five transcendent meditational Buddhas. Each Buddha in the Tibetan tradition has a symbol, colour and directional location, and each is associated with the transformation of a negativity into an aspect of wisdom. Vairochana is associated with the transformation of anger, has the wheel as his symbol and is shown, as here, making the Dharmachakra, the gesture (or mudra) of teaching. The image is an early one and, together with the throne surround decorated with elephants and mythical animals, still shows affinities to north and east Indian art of the Pala dynasty. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.20-1910 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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