Monk
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Iron, cast, formerly with a gessoed and painted surface
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Buddhist Sculpture, room 17, case WN
- Download image
Cast iron came into use for outdoor sculpture during the Song dynasty (960–1279) because of a bronze shortage. After casting, the surface was covered with gesso, lacquer, paper and paint. These have since disappeared, to reveal the coarse casting lines that show how the figure was made in sections and then welded together. The simple stylised lines on the monk’s robe underline the sparse and spiritual aesthetic of the figure as a whole.
Physical description
Figure of a monk sitting cross-legged with both hands hidden within the folds of the robe. The robe is fastened by a circular clasp hanging from the left shoulder. The monk has long earlobes, with curved joined eyebrows and a closed mouth, pointing downwards. His head is shaved. The casting lines are visible, and it looks as though the head was cast separately.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
ca. 1490 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Iron, cast, formerly with a gessoed and painted surface
Dimensions
Height: 75.5 cm, Width: 56 cm approx, Depth: 39 cm approx
Object history note
This cast iron figure would have been covered with gesso, paper and paint, and so the coarse casting lines left from the production process would have been hidden. He is sitting in the lotus or meditating position. His mouth is closed and his head tilts downwards. He is deep in his own world and makes no attempt to engage with the viewer. His shaven head suggests that he has renounced the material world, and expresses his devotion to spiritual life. Long earlobes are said to represent wisdom and spiritualism but also, in east Asia, long life.
Descriptive line
Cast iron figure of a monk, China, Sculpture, ca. 1490.
Exhibition History
Sculpture (Victoria and Albert Museum, Gallery 47e 30/04/2007-30/04/2007)
Labels and date
Monk
About 1490 (Ming dynasty)
China
Cast iron came into use for outdoor sculpture during the Song dynasty (960-1279) because of a bronze shortage. After casting, the surface was covered with gesso, lacquer, paper and paint. These have since disappeared, to reveal the coarse casting lines that show how the figure was made in sections and then welded together. The simple stylised lines on the monk's robe underline the sparse and spiritual aesthetic of the figure as a whole.
Cast iron
Museum no. M.318-1921
Seated monk
About 1490
Ming dynasty
China
Cast iron
Monks renounce worldly affairs, and devote their lives to spiritual practice and to the Buddha. The monastic community, founded by the Buddha himself, is also known as the sangha. This austere figure is made of cast iron. The coarse casting lines visible today were originally hidden by a surface layer of gesso (plaster) and colour.
Museum no. M.318-1921 [2009]
Categories
Buddhism
Collection code
EAS
