Buddhist Attendant

late 18th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253

This dancing goddess is perhaps intended to represent a dakini, considered a perfected female being. She honors the Buddhist wheel of wisdom (dharmachakra), held in her raised right hand. The wheel is flanked by golden fish and surmounted by a conch, symbols of auspiciousness. With her left hand she gestures as to evoke the teachings of the Buddha. Her semi-divine, celestial nature is conveyed by the cloud cushion upon which she dances. This work was part of a larger composition, now lost.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Buddhist Attendant
Date: late 18th century
Culture: Eastern Tibet
Medium: Color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 50 1/4 x 33 1/4 in. (127.6 x 84.5 cm)
Overall: 77 3/8 × 33 1/4 in. (196.5 × 84.5 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1938
Object Number: 38.103
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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