The bodhisattva Manjushri

Indonesia, Central Java, 9th century, volcanic stone (andesite)

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 characteristicsvulkanisch gesteente (andesiet)

Identification

Title(s)
The Bodhisattva Manjushri
Object type
Object number
AK-MAK-240
Catalogue reference
- N.J. Krom, 'Bodhisttra van Plaosan', Nederlands-Indië Oud en Nieuw, 8 (1923), p. 195-196.
- 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.
- Cat. Java mit Bali, nr. 6.
- W.A. Southworth, ‘Twelve Stone Sculptures from Java’, Rijksmuseum Bulletin 65/3 (2017), pp. 244-275

Creation

Creation
anoniem, Candi Plaosan
Dating
c. 800 - c. 900
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Material and technique

Physical description
vulkanisch gesteente (andesiet)
Material
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

- N.J. Krom, 'Bodhisttra van Plaosan', Nederlands-Indië Oud en Nieuw, 8 (1923), p. 195-196.
- 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.
- Cat. Java mit Bali, nr. 6.
- W.A. Southworth, ‘Twelve Stone Sculptures from Java’, Rijksmuseum Bulletin 65/3 (2017), pp. 244-275

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200106815