Art Funded by you

A Seated Bodhisattva

Unknown artist, 1275–1300

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The Bodhisattva, a popular and powerful figure in Chinese Buddhist iconography, is a saintly figure of Mahayana Buddhism who elects to stay in contact with this world to help other mortals to reach Nirvana. The present figure is seated with legs pendant and the right hand raised, with the forefinger pointing upwards and the palm facing forward, symbolizing teaching. The left hand, which is missing, would probably have lain palm upwards on the left knee. It appears to have been painted from the beginning, and in its present state is more subdued in colour than it has been at anytime in the past.

More information

Title of artwork, date

A Seated Bodhisattva, 1275–1300

Date supported

1983

Medium and material

Figwood with polychrome decoration

Dimensions

173 cm

Grant

7500

Total cost

85000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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