Travelling Shrine with Stupa and Arhats
Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan
Geography:
Made in Tibet, Asia
Period:
Medieval PeriodDate:
c. 14th centuryMedium:
Boxwood (shrine) and fir wood (doors), pigment, gold leaf, copper alloy Dimensions:
21 1/4 x 9 5/8 x 4 inches (54 x 24.4 x 10.2 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
1999-44-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 1999
Made in Tibet, Asia
Period:
Medieval PeriodDate:
c. 14th centuryMedium:
Boxwood (shrine) and fir wood (doors), pigment, gold leaf, copper alloy Dimensions:
21 1/4 x 9 5/8 x 4 inches (54 x 24.4 x 10.2 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1999-44-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 1999
Social Tags [?]
buddhist sculpture [x] tibetan [x] travelling shrine [x] wood [x]The 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.
