Indian and Himalayan Art Traveling Shrine in the Shape of a Chorten, with Arhats Made in Tibet, AsiaKadam?, c. 14th century Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan Boxwood (shrine) and fir wood (doors), pigment, gold leaf, copper alloy
(doors probably of a later period * Gallery 232, Asian Art, second floor 1999-44-1 Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 1999 |
LabelThe central figure of the shrine, Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, makes the “earth-touching” gesture with his right hand, calling the earth to witness his enlightenment, while his left hand rests in his lap in the gesture of meditation, holding a begging bowl. Surrounding Shakyamuni are his disciples, the arhats, as well as his principal students, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, both standing next to him holding a bowl and a mendicant’s staff. The interiors of the shrine doors depict armor-clad protectors of the four cardinal directions, while the exterior is decorated with a stupa, a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightened mind.Social Tags [?]buddhist sculpture [x] tibetan [x] travelling shrine [x] wood [x] [Add Your Own Tags]* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
