Head of a bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), 12th-13th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Limestoneexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2000.86.1
On View in Gallery 200expand_more
Sculpted during the Jin or Yuan dynasties, this fully modeled, dignified, and elaborately detailed head reflects the splendor of Buddhist sculpture of the preceding Song dynasty (960–1279). The highly detailed two-tier crown, decorated with dragons and phoenixes, mimics ornate gold crowns excavated from royal burial tombs in northern China. In the front of the crown is a roundel on a lotus base containing a Tibetan character meaning “buddha.” Its use here may be as a substitute for the miniature image of Amitābha, the buddha who usually appears in the headdress of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
Details
- Title
- Head of a bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2000.86.1
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.