Sculpture
7th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The worship of the Mahayana Buddhist saviour bodhisattvas was widespread in Cambodia by at least the 7th century. This figure of Avalokitesvara, identified by the representation of his spiritual mentor Amitabha in the headdress, belongs to the style associated with the cave site of Phnom Da, at Angkor Borei. Sculptures from this site are the earliest identifiable school of Cambodian art, preceding the sculpture produced at the Chen-la site at Vat Phu. This figure has his garments indicated by coarsely incised lines and a plain shoulder cloth rather than the antelope skin seen in later representations.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stone |
| Brief description | The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Phnom Da Style, stone, 7th century, Cambodia. |
| Dimensions | Height: 32.5 cm |
| Style | |
| Gallery label | The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
600–700
Found at the cave site of Phnom Da, this figure represents the
earliest identifiable school of Cambodian art. It shows the
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who was widely worshipped in
Cambodia by this period. A bodhisattva is a being who delays
his or her own enlightenment in order to help others achieve
salvation.
Stone
Cambodia (Phnom Da, Angkor Borei)
Museum no. IS.22-1988(14/06/2011) |
| Object history | Purchased from Alex Biancardi (Walmore Collection) |
| Production | Phnom Da, Angkor Borei, Cambodia |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The worship of the Mahayana Buddhist saviour bodhisattvas was widespread in Cambodia by at least the 7th century. This figure of Avalokitesvara, identified by the representation of his spiritual mentor Amitabha in the headdress, belongs to the style associated with the cave site of Phnom Da, at Angkor Borei. Sculptures from this site are the earliest identifiable school of Cambodian art, preceding the sculpture produced at the Chen-la site at Vat Phu. This figure has his garments indicated by coarsely incised lines and a plain shoulder cloth rather than the antelope skin seen in later representations. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.22-1988 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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