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Four-armed Bhrikuti
East India, Pala Dynasty, 9th c.
Bronze inlaid with silver and copper
H: 7.3cm, W: 4.6cm
Bhrkuti, one of the female companions of Avalokiteshvara, is envisioned as the female hypostases of Avalokiteshvara's wisdom. Her four arms hold a stem of willow, a water vase of purity, and a string of recitation beads (now lost), also making the mudra (hand gesture) of bestowal. Her third eye and lips have silver and pure copper inlay, respectively, and the skirt has an overlay of both metals.
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Seated Śakyamuni
Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura period, 9th c.
Gilt bronze, H: 11cm, W: 8.4cm
The Buddha is seated in the virasana posture, right leg over the left, and makes the mudra of meditation; his eyes are half-closed as if in deep contemplation. Upon the auspicious protuberance on top of the head is the flame of wisdom encrusted with a gem, presumably a ruby. The august Buddha has broad shoulders, a thin and pinched waist, and smooth robes worn with the right shoulder bare. This is a fine example of classic ninth-century Sri Lankan bronze sculpture. |
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Four-sided Stele with a roof-shaped top
China, Western Wei dynasty, dated 548
Yellow limestone, H: 34.7cm, W: 18.7cm
The work is shaped with four niches in which are displayed four Buddhist images. The stele is covered with a rooftop which represents the palace in the heavens. There are the seated Buddha and Bodhisattva seated in the front and the back of the stele respectively. On the side of the stele is a standing attending bodhisattva. This is an artistic characteristic of the Western Wei dynasty. The impression of both the Buddha and bodhisattva images and monks, donors, and lions carved outside the niche are solemnly respectful and genuine. The execution is calmingly forceful and accurate. |
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Seated Buddha
China, Northern Wei dynasty, 5th c.
Gilt bronze, H: 21.4cm, W: 12.4cm
The Buddha Shakyamuni sits in meditation on a low lion throne, lifting his right hand in the abhaya mudra while holding his robe in the left. The Buddha Shakyamuni is draped with a robe indicated with a regular system of parallel curves, a typical early style in Chinese Buddhist images. Both the impression of the Buddha and the lion are simple yet charming.
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