Search the collections

Cosmological Mandala with Mount Meru

Fullscreen

Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts

Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts
(00:31:08) 493 views

Ink Painting and the Rinpa Tradition

Ink Painting and the Rinpa Tradition
(00:23:02) 252 views

Brushed with Passion

Brushed with Passion
(00:37:14) 92 views

Related Content

Mandala of Yamantaka-Vajrabhairava

Mandala of Yamantaka-Vajrabhairava

Flowers and Garden Rock

Flowers and Garden Rock

Fan with Dragon

Fan with Dragon

Scroll Wrapper

Scroll Wrapper

Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearls

Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearls

Browse current and upcoming exhibitions and events.

Exhibitions:

Events:

Events:

Cosmological Mandala with Mount Meru

Period:
Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
Date:
14th century
Culture:
China
Medium:
Silk tapestry (kesi)
Dimensions:
Overall: 33 x 33 in. (83.8 x 83.8cm) Mount: 37 1/4 x 38 x 2 3/8 in. (94.6 x 96.5 x 6 cm)
Classification:
Textiles
Credit Line:
Purchase, Fletcher Fund and Joseph E. Hotung and Michael and Danielle Rosenberg Gifts, 1989
Accession Number:
1989.140

This artwork is not on display

  • Description

    This elaborate tapestry-woven mandala, or cosmic diagram, illustrates Indian imagery introduced into China in conjunction with the advent of Esoteric Buddhism. At the center is the mythological Mount Meru, represented as an inverted pyramid topped by a lotus, a Buddhist symbol of purity. Traditional Chinese symbols for the sun (three-legged bird) and moon (rabbit) appear at the mountain’s base. The landscape vignettes at the cardinal directions represent the four continents of Indian mythology but follow the conventions of Chinese-style “blue-and-green” landscapes. The dense floral border derives from imagery of central Tibet, particularly from monasteries with ties to the court of the Yuan dynasty.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
60006768

Close