This sculpture shows Buddha Shakyamuni wearing the crown and ornaments of a monarch, combined with the simple monastic robes of a monk. The tall tripartite crown, necklace and earrings contrast dramatically with the unadorned transparent robe.
This representation clearly uses royal imagery to evoke spiritual authority. The Buddha is seated on a double-lotus throne beneath which rests a thunderbolt sceptre (‘vajra’), symbol of an enlightened mind. With his right hand he points to the earth as witness of his resistance of the temptations of wordly attachment represented by the demonic goddess Mara.
The throne is decorated with an elaborate aureole and back plate with ‘makara’ (sea monster) finials upon which are perched ‘kinnara’ (half-bird celestial musicians). Beneath the lotus-throne appears the Earth Goddess Prithvi, bearing witness to the Buddha's yogic asceticism. The goddess is flanked by lion and elephant throne-supports, emblematic of the Buddha’s strength and nobility.
The two kneeling figures may be identified as a donor couple. The Buddha is attended by the bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Maitreya, each standing on a lotus stem. Seated on lotus-thrones above the standing figures are the bodhisattvas Vajrapani and Manjusri. They are identified by their lotus-borne emblems, the ‘vajra’ and the manuscript book of scripture respectively. Above are celestial adorers, presenting bearing garlands. Graffiti crudely engraved on the base-moulding depict offerings and ritual utensils.
Physical description
The unusual Buddha-type is represented crowned and bejewelled in the style of a royal figure. The Buddha wears a tall crown and transparent robe which clings to the body and is adorned with a necklace and earrings. The use of royal imagery to evoke spiritual authority is most manifest in this representation. He is seated on a lotus throne beneath which rests a thunderbolt sceptre (vajra), symbol of an enlightened mind, and with his right hand he points to the earth as witness of his enlightenment. Beneath the vajra appears the Earth Goddess Prithvi, bearing witness to the Buddha's authority. On either side of the goddess are lion and elephant throne-supports and the kneeling figures of two female devotees. To the Buddha's left stands a Bodhisattva perhaps Maitreya, with his right hand holding a rosary pressed to his breast. The left hand holds a leafy plant. To the Buddha's right stands the Bodhisattva Padmapani holding the stem of a lotus in his left hand, the right displaying the abhaya mudra or gesture of protection. Seated on lotus thrones above the standing figures are the Bodhisattvas Vajrapani (to the Buddha's right) and Manjusri, their emblems, the thunderbolt and the book of scripture, supported by lotuses at their sides. Above these in conventional clouds fly two celestial beings bearing scarves, each with a smaller figure to the rear. Behind the Buddha is his throne, the top of which ends in makara (sea moster) heads and supports an aureole with a kinnara (bird-legged celestial musician) perched on either side.
Place of Origin
Bengal (possibly, made)
Bihar, India (possibly, made)
Date
11th century-12th century (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Black stone or marble
Dimensions
Height: 107 cm Incl fixed plinth, Width: 54 cm, Depth: 20 cm, Weight: 150 kg
Object history note
Whitechapel Art Gallery: The Arts of Bengal 9.11.1979 to 30.12.1979. Purchased from W.J Hagger in 1872 for £5.
Descriptive line
Seated figure of the Buddha, Bengal or Bihar, 11/12th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
For dating see R J Banerji, Eastern Indian School of Mediaeval Sculpture, ASINS Vol XLVII, 1933, Pl. V b & c A Getty, The Gods of Northern Buddhism, Oxford, 1928, p36 Robert Skelton & Mark Francis (eds), Arts of Bengal, text by Robert Skelton, John Lowry, Andrew Topsfield, Veronica Murphy and Susan Stronge, London: Whitechapel Art Gallery 1979, no 9, p26, ISBN 0 85488 047 X John Guy, Indian Temple Sculpture, V&A, 2007, pl 133, pg119 Guy, John (ed.). L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. p.145, cat.106. ISBN 9788476649466 Bautze-Picron, Claudine. The Bejewelled Buddha: from India to Burma. New Delhi (Sanctum Books), 2010. ISBN 978-81-909950-0-9. pp.87-8 no.35 and fig. 72
The Buddha Shakyamuni wearing the crown and ornaments of a monarch
Eastern India/ late 11th or early 12th century
Black Basalt/ 125cm
During his lifetime the Buddha never wished to be regarded as anything more than a simple monk. It was inevitable that he should become deified, but precisely why and how he came to be represented as a monarch during the Pala period is not known. It may have been due to the combination of several reasons not least among them the popular identification of the monarch with a deity. As is so often the case with Indian deities, the Buddha is not worshipped in isolation but surrounded by minor deities such as here with Avalokiteshvara on his right and Maitreya on his left. Engraved on the bottom are offerings and objects used in the ritual of worship.
See no.14
Exhibition History
: L’escultura en els temples indis: l’art de la devocio (CaixaForum, Barcelona 27/07/2007-18/11/2007)
Arts of Bengal (Whitechapel Art Gallery 30/12/1979-30/09/2011)
Production Note
Bengal or Bihar, Eastern India
Subjects depicted
Buddhism
Categories
Sculpture; Buddhism
Collection code
SSEA
