清康熙 滿繡釋迦牟尼佛唐卡|Buddha Shakyamuni with disciples

Unknown

early 18th century · Silk and metal thread embroidery · Asian Art

Commissioned by the Qing imperial court, this stunning embroidery hanging features Tibetan-style Buddhist images. The large central Buddha sits on a lotus throne carried by lions, with his right hand in earth-touching mudra and his left in meditation mudra. The two small figures in front are the Buddha’s primary disciples: the youthful Ananda and the older Kashyapa. At the top, Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, is joined by two disciples. The uncommonly delicate embroidery successfully displays the solemnity of the Buddha and the piety of his disciples.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 18th century

Medium

Silk and metal thread embroidery

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1951