Kannon (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara) (Translation)
観音菩薩坐像 鎌倉時代 彩色木造彫眼 (Primary Title)
sculpture (Object Name)

Unknown (Artist)

Educational
13th century
Japanese
Wood with polychrome, traces of lacquer, gold dust, crystal
Overall: 57 1/2 × 43 × 34 in. (146.05 × 109.22 × 86.36 cm)
67.18.1
Part of a set "Kannon, Altar, Baldacchino and Altar Table" (67.18.1-4)
Kannon, known as the bodhisattva of compassion, is a primary deity worshipped in Pure Land Buddhism. In deep meditation, this Kannon sits cross-legged and holds a lotus bud. Although hands and forearms have been restored, the statue’s balanced form, divine features, and flowing drapery resemble the classical form of sculpture of the Kamakura period. To form this monumental sculpture, multiple sections of wood were joined together and then wrapped with hemp. Like many wood sculptures since the Heian period, this statue was once coated with lacquer to protect it from cracking and water or worm damage.
Shigon 真言宗
Kamakura period (1185-1333)
Unsigned
None
None
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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