唐 鎏金青銅毗盧遮那佛坐像|Seated Buddha Vairocana

Unknown

early 8th century · Gilt bronze · Asian Art

The teaching gesture made by this figure, with the thumb of the right hand touching the little finger of the left, identifies him as Vairocana, the celestial Buddha who resides at the center of the cosmos. Vairocana is considered a transcendent form of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Though similar in appearance, he exists on another plane, unhindered by a mortal body.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 8th century

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1943