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Guanyin
anonymous, c. 1100 - c. 1200, sculpture, AK-MAK-84
The Buddhist deity Guanyin, who rescues people in need, is shown here meditating, seated on a rock. According to legend, he was once discovered in this position, meditating on the moon’s reflection in the water - in Buddhism a symbol of illusion and transience. His pose and facial expression embody…
On display in Asian pavilion, room 2
The bodhisattva Manjushri
anonymous, c. 800 - c. 900, sculpture, AK-MAK-240
In China, Manjushri is venerated as one of the first advocates of Buddhism. On Java he appears as a young man wearing straps of jewellery across his chest. This Manjushri is probably gesturing the turning of the wheel of wisdom: this symbolises the start of the Buddhist cycle of learning and the…
On display in Asian pavilion, room 1
Two temple guardians
anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1400, sculpture, AK-RAK-2007-1-B
These guards stand at the entrance to a temple to ward off evil. They are holding a vajra, with which to crush ignorance. Their open and shut mouths represent the first and last letters of the Japanese script: A and N: this symbolises the totality of sounds and letters, of knowledge. Worshippers who…
On display in Asian pavilion, room 2
Two temple guardians
anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1400, sculpture, AK-RAK-2007-1-A
On display in Asian pavilion, room 2
Shiva with the Moon in his Hair
anonymous, c. 1000 - c. 1200, sculpture, AK-MAK-1291
Two Statuettes of Guanyin
anonymous, 512, sculpture, AK-RAK-1989-2
On display in Asian pavilion, room 2
The bodhisattva Maitreya
anonymous, c. 200 - c. 300, sculpture, AK-MAK-1188
On display in Asian pavilion, room 1
Sleeping Vishnu
anonymous, c. 1100 - c. 1300, sculpture, AK-MAK-224
On display in Asian pavilion, room 1
The bodhisattva Maitreya
anonymous, 500 - 525, sculpture, AK-MAK-71
On display in Asian pavilion, room 2