Avalokiteshvara

anonymous, 870 - 930

As a sign of their importance, Buddhist deities were sometimes depicted in gold and silver. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, here in silver, is revered as a powerful helper in the lives of ordinary people. He is shown in deep contemplation of the world. The heavenly Buddha Vairocana, here in gold, holds his hands in the bodhyagrimudra, the hand gesture of highest insight.

  • Artwork typefigure, sculpture, Avalokitesvara
  • Object numberAK-MAK-312
  • Dimensionsheight 9.5 cm x width 6 cm x depth 4.6 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Avalokiteshvara

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-312

  • Description

    Awalokitesvara, zittend, vierarmig op dubbel lotuskussen geplaatst op bronzen voetstuk, verschillende symbolen in de vier handen.


Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, Indonesia

  • Dating

    870 - 930

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  • School / Style


Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    height 9.5 cm x width 6 cm x depth 4.6 cm


Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (purchase auction Mak van Waay (Loudon coll), 1953)

  • Copyright

  • Provenance

    …; collection Loudon;{Note RMA.}…; sale, Amsterdam (Mak van Waay), 26 June 1953, no. 1069, fl. 2652.50, with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst;{Note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972


Documentation

    • F.D.K. Bosch, 'Le Penseur' in Hindoe-Javaansche gedaante', Cultureel Indië 1 (1939) p. 7-10.
    • A.J. Bernet Kempers, 'Alexander Loudon en zijn collectie oud-Javaanse metaalkunst', Mededelingenblad Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst 15/5 (1985), pp. 6-15.
    • P. Pal, 'The iconography of Cintamani Cakra Avalokiteśvara', Journal of the Indian Society of Oriental Art, New Series 2 (1968), pp. 39-48.
    • F.H.E. Visser, Asiatic art in private collections in Holland and Belgium, Amsterdam, 1948, nr. 361, pl. 209.
    • N.J. Krom, 'Hindoe-Javaanse bronzen : de collectie Loudon', NION 3 (1919), p. 383-395, fig.8.
    • I.S. Sundström, 'Sorrowful Avalokiteśvara in the Rijksmuseum and the Morelli Method', Aziatische Kunst 55, nr. 1 maart 2025, pp. 27-32, fig. 1.
    • Veilingcat. Mak van Waay, juni 1953, nr. 1069.

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