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Figure - sculpture

sculpture

  • Object:

    Figure

  • Place of origin:

    Thailand (made)

  • Date:

    7th century - 8th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Cast bronze

  • Credit Line:

    Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund

  • Museum number:

    IS.72-1993

  • Gallery location:

    South-East Asia, room 47a, case 1

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This figure is identifiable as Avalokitesvara by the image of the Buddha Amitabha in its headdress and by the antelope skin tied around its waist. At the time this image was made peninsular Thailand formed part of the maritime kingdom of Srivijaya whose kings were patrons of the monastic university at Nalanda in north-east India. The style of the figure's flaming nimbus and cascading hair shows influences from that part of India.

Physical description

This figure would have formed part of a Buddhist triad with an image of Buddha flanked by two attending bodhisattvas. The presence of a seated buddha, Amitabha, in the headdress indentifies this figure as the Lord of Compassion, Avalokitesvara, and by the animal skin drawn around his waist. The treatment of the flaming nimbus and cascading loops of hair point to inspiration from eastern Indian models of the period. The style of the figure, together with the use of a dark metal, suggests it was cast in the Thai peninsular.

Place of Origin

Thailand (made)

Date

7th century - 8th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Cast bronze

Object history note

Purchased from David Knight with the assistance of NACF

Descriptive line

Bronze figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Peninsular Thailand, 7th - 8th century.

Production Note

Malay Peninsular Style

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O40333
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