The bodhisattva Manjushri

anonymous, c. 800 - c. 900

Manjushri was venerated in China as one of the first advocates of Buddhism. On Java, he was represented as a young man with bejewelled straps across his chest. This figure’s missing hands may once have made the gesture of turning the wheel of doctrine (dharmacakra mudra): this symbolizes the beginning of the cycle of Buddhist doctrine and enlightenment.

  • Artwork typefigure, sculpture, Manjushri
  • Object numberAK-MAK-240
  • Dimensionsheight 138 cm x width 90 cm x depth 60 cm x weight 663 kg
  • Physical characteristicsvolcanic stone (andesite)

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • The bodhisattva Manjushri
    • The Bodhisattva Manjushri

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-240

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, Candi Plaosan

  • Dating

    c. 800 - c. 900

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    volcanic stone (andesite)

  • Dimensions

    height 138 cm x width 90 cm x depth 60 cm x weight 663 kg

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (transfer Oudheidkundige Dienst Nederlands-Indië, 1931)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; collection Aerchaeological Service of the Dutch East Indies; acquired by the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1931; {Southworth 2017} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972’.

Documentation

    • T. van Erp, Hindoe-Javaansche steenplastiek in het Stedelijk Museum te Amsterdam, uit: Maandblad voor beeldende kunsten, 11, 1934, 9, pagina 259-272 - p. 261
    • N.J. Krom, 'Bodhisttra van Plaosan', Nederlands-Indië Oud en Nieuw, 8 (1923), p. 195-196.
    • H.F.E. Visser, Het Museum van Aziatische Kunst in het Stedelijk Museum te Amsterdam I : Eenige aanteekeningen over de inrichting en het indische gedeelte der verzameling, uit: Maandblad voor beeldende kunsten, 9, 1932, 5, pagina 131-139 - p. 138
    • W.A. Southworth, ‘Twelve Stone Sculptures from Java’, Rijksmuseum Bulletin 65/3 (2017), pp. 244-275
    • Cat. Java mit Bali, nr. 6.
    • William A. Southworth, 'F.D.K. Bosch and twelve Central Javanese sculptures from the Archeological Service of the Dutch East Indies', Aziatische Kunst 43/3-4 (2013), pp. 62-71.

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  • The bodhisattva Manjushri
  • The bodhisattva Manjushri