Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Buddhism, Room 47f, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Galleries of Buddhist Art

Head of the Buddha

Sculpture
early 9th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This head originally formed part of a large-scale image of Buddha Shakyamuni. It may date from the end of the Shailendra dynasty, which ruled Java between 760 and 830AD. The Shailendra rulers were strong supporters of Mahayana Buddhism and erected many Buddhist monuments in central Java, including the great temple complex of Borobudur.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHead of the Buddha (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Stone
Brief description
Head of the Buddha Shakyamuni, stone, Central Javanese style, Java, Indonesia, early 9th century.
Physical description
Head of Buddha Shakyamuni of carved stone.
Dimensions
  • Height: 119cm
  • Width: 58cm
  • Depth: 30cm
  • Weight: 290kg (Note: Needs to be checked.)
Style
Gallery label
  • Head of the Buddha 800–30 Shailendra dynasty Central Java Stone The head originally formed part of a large-scale image of Buddha Shakyamuni. It may date from the end of the Shailendra dynasty, which ruled Java between 760 and 830. The Shailendra rulers were strong supporters of Mahayana Buddhism and erected many Buddhist monuments in central Java, including the great temple complex of Borobudur. Museum no. IS.38-1988(1/4/2009)
  • Head of the Buddha 800–850 Sailendra dynasty This head is from a life-sized Buddha Shakyamuni image. It may date from the end of the Sailendra dynasty, which ruled Java between AD 760 and 830. The Sailendra rulers were strong supporters of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and erected many Buddhist monuments in central Java, including Borobodur. Central Java, Indonesia Stone Museum no. IS.38-1988(03/08/2015)
Credit line
Given by the Walmore Collection
Object history
Given by the Walmore collection in 1988, received from Mr A. Biancardi.
Historical context
The Sailendra dynasty, which ruled central Java from 760 until 800, was responsible for establishing Mahayana Buddhism in the region and for constructing a series of remarkable Buddhist monuments. The most spectacular of these was Borobudor, designed as a three-dimensional mandala (cosmological diagram). This and other monuments in the region were richly decorated with narrative reliefs and free-standing sculptures. This head is probably from a large scale seated Buddha image in this region. Early in the 9th century the Sailendras were displaced by the Sanjaya dynasty who, whilst allowing Buddhism to continue to flourish, instigated a Hindu renaissance symbolised by the construction of the great temple complex at Prambanan. The region fell into neglect with the move of the ruling houses to east Java in the 10th century.
Production
Java, Indonesia
Subject depicted
Summary
This head originally formed part of a large-scale image of Buddha Shakyamuni. It may date from the end of the Shailendra dynasty, which ruled Java between 760 and 830AD. The Shailendra rulers were strong supporters of Mahayana Buddhism and erected many Buddhist monuments in central Java, including the great temple complex of Borobudur.
Collection
Accession number
IS.38-1988

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Record createdFebruary 13, 2000
Record URL
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