Creator: Unknown
Title: Gautama Buddha
Culture: Tibet
Work Type: Buddhist Sculpture
Material: Gilded copper with pigment
Date: 14th Century
Measurements: H x W x D: 45 x 34 x 27 cm (17 11/16 x 13 3/8 x 10 5/8 in)
Repository: National Museum of Asian Art
Repository:
Description: Buddha’s can be generally be identified in art by the top-knot, elongated earlobes, as well as a calm facial expression to suggest the serenity brought to him by achieving enlightenment. This statue is a depiction of the Gautama or past Buddha. The Buddha sits meditating with his hands in an earth-touching gesture which refers to the story of the Buddha meditating as troops attacked him and when he touched the ground he called on goddesses to act as witnesses. The bright gilding of the copper draws the eye to this figure and highlights the sacredness and importance that he holds.
References:
Gautama Buddha, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
https://asia.si.edu/object/S1997.28/
