Vairochana Buddha

Historical period(s)
Liao dynasty, 907-1125
Medium
Bronze and gilt
Dimensions
H x W x D: 24.5 x 19 x 13 cm (9 5/8 x 7 1/2 x 5 1/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S2006.7
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Sculpture
Type

Figure: Buddha

Keywords
Buddha, Buddhism, China, Liao dynasty (907 - 1125), ushnisha, Vairocana Buddha, vajra mudra
Provenance

?
S.H. Minkenhof Collection, Amsterdam and New York, NY [1]

From at least 1967-?
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan B. Hart, New York, NY [2]

?-1977
Eskenazi Ltd., London, England [3]

1977-?
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York or the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, purchased from Eskenazi Ltd., London, England [4]

?-2006
The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY [5]

From 2006
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY

Notes:

[1] See Lee, Sherman, E., and Wai-kam Ho. Chinese Art Under the Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1968.
See Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record. See also object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] The object the object was listed as belonging to the Hart Collection, New York in 1967. See Munsterberg, Hugo. Chinese Buddhist Bronzes. Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1967. See also Lee, Sherman, E., and Wai-kam Ho. Chinese Art Under the Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1968.

[3] See invoice from Eskenazi, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[4] The invoice from Eskenazi 1977 is addressed to both Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation. It is unclear whether the object was purchased directly by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation or first by Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987). See invoice from Eskenazi, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[5] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

S. H. Minkenhof
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan B. Hart
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987
Eskenazi Ltd. Founded 1923
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation founded 1965

Label

Images of the Buddha are usually gilded because one of the thirty-two characteristics that marked the Buddha at birth was skin that shone like gold. Chinese Buddists interpreted the golden color as an expression of the Buddha's sunlike spiritual radiance, his inner purity, and the inestimable worth of his teachings.

Published References
  • Woon Wee Teng. The Hidden Treasures of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, with other artifacts from Yunnan. .
  • Sherman Lee, Wai-Kam Ho. Chinese Art Under the Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368. Exh. cat. Cleveland. cat. 12, Sculpture section no. 12.
  • Hugo Munsterberg. Chinese Buddhist Bronzes., 1st ed. Tokyo and Rutland, Vermont. pp. 28-29, pl. 14.
  • S. H. Minkenhof. Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessels, Gilt Bronzes, and Sculptures: Two Private Collections, One Formerly Part of the Minkenhof Collection. Exh. cat. London. cat. 28, pp. 42-43.
  • Joan Hartman-Goldsmith. Yuan Art at the Cleveland Museum., Authumn 1969. p. 217, fig. 1.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use