Akshobhya Buddha

Object Details

Label

Akshobhya (Unshakable) Buddha is the celestial Buddha of the idyllic eastern paradise Abhirati. His right hand extends down in the “earth-witness gesture” and also delicately holds a lotus stalk on which rests his emblem, a vajra (diamond thunderbolt scepter).

The bronze is consistent in style and quality with others made at Densatil monastery, which was founded in 1198 and destroyed in 1966. The sculptural style and iconographic programs of Densatil monastery had a deep impact on Tibetan sculpture for some two and a half centuries. The Akshobhya represents the Densatil idiom of the 14th-15th century: the slim, lithe body follows Nepalese tradition and the jewelry, base, and decorative details are both finely worked and creatively realized. Of particular note are the scarf that forms a halo behind the Buddha’s head, the ruby-tipped earrings that flare out above his shoulders, the delicately realized double-lotus seat and the unusually detailed base, which features a vase of plenty (from which vines scroll outwards) in the central cartouche and elaborately adorned elephants to either side.

Collection

Arthur M. Sackler Collection

Exhibition History

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room (March 12, 2022 - ongoing)

Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

Doorway to an Enlightened World: The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 19 to November 27, 2016)

Golden Visions of Densatil: A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (February 9 to May 18, 2014)

The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 13, 2010 to November 27, 2016)

Credit Line

The Alice S. Kandell Collection

late 14th-early 15th century

Accession Number

S2012.6

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Gilt bronze; turquoise and ruby insets; base open; contents missing

Dimensions

H x W: 30.5 x 20.3 cm (12 x 8 in)

Origin

Densatil, Central Tibet

On View

Sackler Gallery 26a: The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room

Related Online Resources

Google Cultural Institute

See more items in

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic

casting

gilding

inlay (process)

metal

bronze

Buddhism

Buddha

Tibet

Akshobhya Buddha

South Asian and Himalayan Art

Alice S. Kandell Collection

Record ID

fsg_S2012.6

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3af10f484-5201-4a5f-aac6-866a1e7063e3