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Title: Buddha Vairocana (Dari)
Caption: Buddha Vairocana (Dari). Culture: China. Dimensions: H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); W. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm); D. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Date: early 8th century.
The teaching gesture made by this figure, in which the thumb of the right hand touches the little finger of the left, identifies him as Vairocana, a transcendent manifestation of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni who played an important role in certain early esoteric traditions that grew increasingly popular in China in the eighth century. The unusual wheel-like configuration at the bottom suggests that this sculpture may once have been encased within five lotus petals that could open and close.
Technique/material: Gilt leaded bronze; lost-wax cast
Period: Tang dynasty (618-907)
Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit: Album
Image size: 3151 × 4200 px | 37.9 MB
Print size: 26.7 × 35.6 cm | 1240.6 × 1653.5 in (300 dpi)