Statuette
| Object Number: | A1440 |
|---|---|
| Current Location: | Collections Storage |
| Culture: | Tibetan Buddhist |
| Provenience: | Tibet |
| Date Made: | 18th Century |
| Early Date: | 1700 |
| Late Date: | 1799 |
| Section: | Asian |
| Materials: | Bronze Gilt |
| Technique: | Gilt |
| Iconography: | Avalokitesvara Namaskara Mudra |
| Height: | 53 cm |
| Credit Line: | Purchased from George Lagai, Kny-Sheerer & Company, 1913 |
| Other Number: | Getz 139 - Other Number 85-28-5 - Old Museum Number 8 - Other Number |
Description
Brass standing figure of a thousand-armed Avalokitesvara with eleven heads on a large, round double lotus base. Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is also the patron saint of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is believed to be not only a reincarnation of his predecessor, but Avalokitesvara as well. The hands of this figure are held in the namaskara mudra which symbolizes prayer. To give them life and power, prayers and charms are placed and sealed within Tibetan sculpture before their consecration. The arms form a sort of halo and are removable.
Current & Past Exhibitions:
| Exhibition of Oriental Art (12 Feb 1916) | View Objects in Exhibition |
| Buddhism: History and Diversity of a Great Tradition (12 Dec 1985 - 21 Oct 2012) | View Objects in Exhibition |
Bibliography:
You may also be interested in these objects:
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.