Object Details
Label
Metal images from western Tibet in the eleventh and twelfth-century are often freely inventive, as seen here in the Buddha’s elevated seated posture, atypically square head, and the playful swoop of the garment’s left sleeve.
The earth-touching gesture, in which the right hand reaches down to call the earth to witness the Buddha’s moment of enlightenment, identifies both the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni) and the cosmic Buddha Akshobhya, this sculpture more likely represents Akshobhya because the downward tilt of the left hand suggests that it was made to hold an upright thunderbolt scepter rather than the begging bowl that is characteristic of Shakyamuni.
Akshobyha (Sanskrti, Immovable or Unshakable) is unshakably present in the eastern heaven Abhirati to teach all its beings. In Abhirati (Sanskrit, Intense Delight), gods and humans easily visit each other’s realms by traversing ladders that connect heaven and earth.
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Exhibition History
The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room (March 12, 2022 - ongoing)
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)
Doorway to an Enlightened World: The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 19 to November 27, 2016)
The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 13, 2010 to November 27, 2016)
Credit Line
The Alice S. Kandell Collection
Date
11th-12th century
Accession Number
S2015.28.2
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Copper alloy with traces of possible former inlays
Dimensions
H x W x D: 21.7 × 14 × 9 cm (8 9/16 × 5 1/2 × 3 9/16 in)
Origin
Guge, Western Tibet
On View
East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Gallery 26a: The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
inlay (process)
metal
Buddhism
Tibet
Akshobhya Buddha
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Alice S. Kandell Collection
Shakyamuni Buddha
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_S2015.28.2