ticketsMember | Make a donation

Buddha with radiate halo and mandorla

5th–6th century
Not on view
This portable shrine from the northern branch of the Central Asian Silk Road was probably the centerpiece of a three-part traveling shrine—a small triptych with doors. Two donors on the base venerate what appears to be a pot overflowing with vegetation. Such shrines for personal devotion traveled with merchants and pilgrims. While the Buddha, especially his hairstyle, can be related to Chinese imagery, the overall presentation of the figure and the combined halo and mandorla show connections to the Afghan and Gandharan visual tradition (see 48.66a, b).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 5—6 世紀 彩繪塗金木雕佛像
  • Title: Buddha with radiate halo and mandorla
  • Date: 5th–6th century
  • Culture: China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Turfan area)
  • Medium: Juniper wood with traces of color and gold
  • Dimensions: H. 14 1/4 x W. 5 1/2 x D. 2 5/8 in. (36.2 x 14 x 6.7 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.19
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Stem cup, Gold with repoussé decoration, China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Central Asia)
Stem cup
China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Central Asia)
8th century
Buddha Maitreya (Mile) Altarpiece, Gilt bronze, China
Buddha Maitreya (Mile) Altarpiece
China
dated 524 (5th year of Zhengguang reign)
Buddha Maitreya (Mile), Gilt bronze with traces of pigment; piece-mold cast, China
Buddha Maitreya (Mile)
China
dated 486 (10th year of Taihe reign)
Altar coffer, Wood (huanghuli or Dalbergia odorifera), China
Altar coffer
China
17th–18th century
Head of a Bodhisattva, Sandstone with pigment, China
Head of a Bodhisattva
China
ca. early 8th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.