Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.The youthful Manjushri, referrred to as kumara, or "boyish", in his parent text, the Prajnaparamita, is seated on a waisted lotus throne, the base of which bears the female donor's simple inscription around three sides. Manjushri's handheld identifiers are thne wisdom book (pustaka), blue lotus, and rosary, and a fourth now-lost identifier—perhaps a second blue lotus or the sword. In affirmation of Manjushri's child nature, his hair at the back is in three long braids, and he wears a tiger-claw pendant (vyaghra-nakha), which was favored by parents as a protective talisman for children.
Artwork Details
- Title: Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
- Date: 9th century
- Culture: Kashmir
- Medium: Copper alloy with silver inlay
- Dimensions: H. 5 15/16 (15.1 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); D. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Lent by a private collection
- Object Number: L.2017.31.2
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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