May 22, 2012
May 22, 2012
May 22, 2012

Head of Buddha

Head of Buddha

early 800s

Volcanic stone

Overall: 30.6 cm (12 1/16 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1942.1087

Description

Serenity, tranquility, and compassion are expressively conveyed in the gently modeled, highly porous black stone of the volcanic island of Java. Borobudur, the massive, multitiered stone structure from which it came, still stands as one of the most impressive Buddhist monuments in the world. Concentric walkways with carved pilgrimage scenes lead up to vast terraces that originally had more than 500 life-size Buddha images, many of which still remain.

See also
Collection: 
Javanese Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture

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