Parinirvana, the Death of the Buddha

Date17th century

Label TextImages of Buddha Shakyamuni’s nirvana-after-death often shown him as if sleeping. Here, he is surrounded by three monk-disciples who cannot help but touch him and weep. Artisan workshops of Shanxi province produced monumental, glazed decorations for Buddhist temple architecture, forming a prolific industry from the 14th to 18th century. The Qiao family potters also created smaller sculptures, including one designed by Qiao Bin the Elder (active 1481–1507) on which this piece is based. By comparison, one set dated to 1503 has five additional attendants for a total of eight sorrowful figures, including one kneeling, bowed in veneration.

Object number53.115

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Documents International: Reflections in the Mirror: A World of Identity, Apr. 23, 1998 - June 20, 1999. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view beginning July 16, 2021].

Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection

Dimensions16 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 10 in. (41.91 x 46.99 x 25.4 cm)

MediumEarthenware with glaze