Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

15th century

Gift 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.

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

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

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

59.59

Now on view at the Asian Art Museum

Resources

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

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM