Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats

Qiao Bin Chinese

Not on view

This is a depiction of the Buddha’s nirvana. His attendants are all in deep sorrow: one wipes away a tear, while others seem to be crying out or, alternatively, at a loss for words. The Buddha, however, is shown in a state of near sleep, indicating a heavenly wisdom.

According to the inscription on the back and sides of the couch on which the Buddha reclines, a monk had these sculptures made in 1503 as a private act of devotion. They were originally part of a larger group of figures from the Qiao family workshop in Yangcheng, Shanxi Province.

Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China

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Front

Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China
Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China
Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China
Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China
Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats, Qiao Bin (Chinese, active 1481–1507), Earthenware with polychrome glaze, China

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