Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), Head

Stone face with elongated facial features; headdress with floral motifs and seated buddha.

Historical period(s)
Early 20th century, in the style of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534)
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall): 29.1 x 14.8 x 17.5 cm (11 7/16 x 5 13/16 x 6 7/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of The Honorable David K.E. Bruce
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1978.13
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Sculpture, Stone
Type

Figure

Keywords
bodhisattva, Buddha, Buddhism, China, dhyana mudra, forgery, Guanyin
Provenance

From 1930s to 1977
David Kirkpatrick Estes Bruce (1869-1977), acquired from an unidentified dealer, Paris, in the 1930s [1]

From 1978
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Ambassador David Kirkpatrick Estes Bruce, Washington, DC, in 1978 [2]

Notes:

[1] According to Curatorial Note 2, T. Lawton, 1978, in the object record.

[2] The object was transferred from the Freer Study Collection to the Freer Permanent Collection on March 6, 1978 (see Curatorial Note 7 in the object record).

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

The Honorable David K.E. Bruce 1898-1977

Description

Stone face with elongated facial features; headdress with floral motifs and seated buddha.

Published References
  • Chang Qing. Search and Research: The Provenance of Longmen Images in the Freer Collection. vol. 34, no. 5 Hong Kong, May 2003. p. 25, fig. 13.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Whistler's Neighborhood
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use