Buddha Shakyamuni

14th - 15th century

Having fought off the demon Mara, who sought to distract him, Shakyamuni
touches his right hand to the ground, summoning the earth goddess to witness his moment of awakening. His robe is adorned with cloud forms and the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems: umbrella, twin fish, vase, lotus, conch, endless knot, banner, and wheel. His facial features show the influence of Nepalese style. Traces of “cold gold” emulsion on the face and neck suggest that this object was venerated by Tibetans, whereas the inlay and emblem patterns indicate they were made in China.

Copper alloy with black lacquer and gold and silver inlay

6 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 3 in. (15.88 x 11.43 x 7.62 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

69.114

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Now on view at the Asian Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistoryCleveland, Ohio, The Cleveland Museum of Art, "Chinese Art Under The Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty: 1279-1368", 1968, (on loan from Heeramaneck Collection). (1965 - 1965)

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.

Published ReferencesWaugh, Daniel C. "The Arts of China in Seattle." The Silk Road, vol. 12 (2014): pp. 137-152, reproduced p.145, fig. 24.

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