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Chinese, Dali Kingdom, probably Yunnan Province, Dali Kingdom, 937-1253 CE or later

Seated Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), 1100s - 1400s

Now On View

Description

Maker

Culture

Chinese

Title

Seated Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin)

Year

1100s - 1400s

Medium

Gilt bronze with traces of pigment

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Techniques

Dimensions

69.5 x 31 x 30 cm (27 3/8 x 12 3/16 x 11 13/16 inches) (full size)

Place

Dali Kingdom, probably Yunnan Province, Dali Kingdom, 937-1253 CE or later

Type

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

18.266

Projects & Publications

Publications

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Asian Art Galleries

Princely jewels, curved brows, defined cheeks, pursed lips, and a bare, slender torso mark this portrayal of the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion as made in the region now known as the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. The area was once the independent kingdom of Dali, founded and ruled by the Duan family, with Avalokitesvara, or Guanyin, serving as their protective deity.

Scientific analysis of the bronze has determined that this sculpture was made between 1100 and 1500. While the seated, almost casual pose relates to figures created by the Northern Song, the stylistic features and refined execution indicate that the sculpture was created in southwest China.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Seated Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) with the accession number of 18.266. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.