Untitled

Unknown

16th century · Sandalwood, traces of polychrome and gold · Asian Art

Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of this cosmic age, is shown with one hand lowered in the boon-giving gesture (varada mudra), while the other holds a lotus. This rare image is carved of sandalwood—an inherently pure, uncorrupted, and auspicious material. Early texts tell us that the mythical first image of the Buddha was carved of sandalwood at the time he traveled to Tushita heaven to teach his mother the path to enlightenment. Hence, this figure would have been understood as related to that original image-making tradition.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Sandalwood, traces of polychrome and gold

Culture

Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1947