Images(2)

Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

Date15th century

Label TextGift exchange played a central role in the diplomatic relationship between Tibet and the Ming dynasty court. An inscription near the left foot on the lotus pedestal—“Bestowed in the Xuande period of the Great Ming dynasty”—indicates that this was intended as a gift to a visiting Tibetan dignitary. According to one survey, only three bronzes with the Xuande mark are recorded in Tibetan monastic collections. Many more were bestowed during the Yongle period (1403–24) when the emperor initiated an exchange of missions between China and Tibet.

Object number59.59

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.Published ReferencesLerner, Martin. "An 'International Style' Wooden Mandala," in The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Vol. 58, No. 9 (November 1971), pp. 269-275, p. 274 fig.9 Munsterberg, Hugo. "Chinese Buddhist Bronzes," (1967), pl. 70, p. 70

Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection

Dimensions10 x 6 1/2 x 6 in. (25.4 x 16.51 x 15.24 cm)

MediumCire perdue (lost wax) cast bronze with gilt, and red and blue pigment