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 Currently not on view 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] |
