Unknown Artist
- Title
- Standing Avalokiteshvara
- Place of origin
-
Central Java →
Java →
Indonesia
- Year
- 8th century
- Media category
- Sculpture
- Materials used
- copper alloy with traces of gilding
- Dimensions
-
13.8 x 3.6 x 3.1cm object; 15.2 x 4.7 x 3.6cm object and stand
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- D G Wilson Bequest Fund 2000
- Accession number
- 2.2000
- Location
- Upper Asian gallery
- Further information
The standing Avalokiteshvara is of a Central Javanese style but made of a very dark bronze. Avalokiteshvara is depicted holding a book ('pustaka') in his left hand and with his right hand in 'varada mudra', the gesture of granting grace. He wears a simple sarong tied at the waist and wears little ornament except for a necklace and the sacred thread ('upavita'). The proportions of this figure are long and elegant and the slightly square face is crowned by a tall and distinctively styled hairdo ('jatamukuta') recalling the South Indian influence.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 16 February 2000.
- Bibliography (2)
-
'Sensuous Spirituality: Hindu and Buddhist Art from the Indic Cultural Realm' by Pratapaditya Pal, pg. 80-87., Orientations Sep 2000, Sep 2000, 84 (illus.; colour illus.). fig.7 and 7a
The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 338 (colour illus.).
