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Standing Shakyamuni Buddha
Tibetan
19th century
Object Place: Tibet
Medium/Technique
Distemper and gold on cotton, mounted with silk brocades and cotton backing with wood dowels
Dimensions
75 x 49 cm (29 1/2 x 19 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number21.743
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings
DescriptionPainting in hanging scroll (thangka) format, with no streamers or veil.
Shakyamuni stands with his right hand in abhaya mudra and his left hand in varada mudra. He wears long, highly-stylized robes and is surrounded by a halo of golden foliate design, apparently inlaid with gemstones. He stands on a lotus which arises out of a pond. He is surrounded by jeweled tress, rocks, and mountains. Above are apsarases with offerings. Borders painted in yellow and red. Unusual Buddha figure and halo treatment may represent a celebrated icon, perhaps from India (which would be in keeping with the stylized folds of the garment). One such icon, carved from sandalwood, was brought to Tibet in the 9th or 10th century.
Shakyamuni stands with his right hand in abhaya mudra and his left hand in varada mudra. He wears long, highly-stylized robes and is surrounded by a halo of golden foliate design, apparently inlaid with gemstones. He stands on a lotus which arises out of a pond. He is surrounded by jeweled tress, rocks, and mountains. Above are apsarases with offerings. Borders painted in yellow and red. Unusual Buddha figure and halo treatment may represent a celebrated icon, perhaps from India (which would be in keeping with the stylized folds of the garment). One such icon, carved from sandalwood, was brought to Tibet in the 9th or 10th century.
InscriptionsOn reverse, in red paint, in Tibetan: "Om, ah, hum" three times behind central Buddha
Provenance1921, William Sturgis Bigelow, Boston, MA; 1921, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 7, 1921)