H x W x D (overall): 49.3 x 35.5 x 9 cm (19 7/16 x 14 x 3 9/16 in)
Type:
Sculpture
Origin:
Probably Longmen Grottos, Luoyang, Henan province, China
Date:
618-907
Period:
Tang dynasty
Description:
The Bodhisattva stands with its body arched in a slight curve. The pointed headdress that appears in the high chignon is not specific enough to identify the particular Bodhisattva being represented. The torso is clothed in scarves and necklaces; a pleated dhoti falls from the waist. The Bodhisattva's right hand holds one end of a scarf against the dhoti; the left arm is raised at the elbow and the fingers of the hand are gracefully curved. There are traces of paint and pigment traces on the surface of the stone. The sculpture has been broken and subsequently repaired.
Provenance:
Probably originally located in the southern part of Xishan, Longmen caves, Luoyang, Henan province [1]
To 1970
Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY [2]
From 1970 to 1974
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, New York
From 1974
Freer Gallery of Art, bequeathed by Agnes E. Meyer [3]
Notes:
[1] Chang Qing, "Search and Research: The Provenance of Longmen Images in the Freer Collection," Orientations 34, 5 (May 2003), pp. 18, 19, fig. 4.
[2] The object was part of the Estate of Agnes E. Meyer.
[3] The object was transferred to the Freer Gallery on January 9, 1973. In 1974 it was confirmed that the transfer of this object to the Freer Gallery from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation had been approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors on December 14, 1972 and the object was accessioned to the collection.
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Previous custodian or owner:
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer ((1875-1959) and (1887-1970))
