Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2013.6.1 |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Description |
Chinese, Ming dynasty, Yongle reign (1403-1424) or later Ming (1425-1644), dry lacquer, gold, cloth, paper, pigment, and wood. A Tibeto-Chinese Buddha seated in Padmasana on a double lotus base with hands in Dharmachakra mudra, the turning the wheel (of the Law) gesture. The garments of the Buddha, a mantle that covers the proper left shoulder and another garment cinched with a band above the waist are ornamented with relief bands of fine floral motifs including lotus blossoms along their edges. The bulbous petals of the lotus base bear rich scroll-work of a vegetal character enhancing the almost baroque feel of the base. The tightly curled hair is painted blue. The style of the sculpture shows Tibetan influence in the form of the double-lotus base and the ornament on the Buddha's robes. In the hollow interior, about 45 pounds of sandalwood, bits of aromatic herbs and various kinds of beans and peas, two fabric bags with unidentified contents, and 43 paper scrolls were placed. One scroll is a Tibetan block-printed transcript of a Sanskrit mantra invoking Vajrasattva, the Primordial Buddha. The sculpture was made using the dry lacquer technique. The approximate outline of the finished sculpture was made from clay. Over this were laid strips of cloth which had been impregnated with lacquer (a natural varnish from the sap of an Asian sumac). The sculpture was built up with further layers of lacquer and lacquer putty (sap mixed with sawdust, fine sand or other filler). Some details, like the bulging lotus petals and the round beads of the base, were made seperately and then attached. Once the layers of lacquer were set, the clay core was removed. |
Title |
Seated Buddha on a Lotus |
Date |
1403-1644 |
Material |
wood | clay | lacquer | gold | cloth | paper | pigment |
Dimensions |
H-42.992 W-35 D-26.732 inches |
Credit line |
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation |
Place of Origin |
Asia/China |
Culture |
Chinese |
Subjects |
Buddhism Religion Lotus Buddhas |
Relation |
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