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Chino-Tibetan
bronze
Four-Armed Manjusri
Ming
Dynasty, (1573-1644)
H.10in.(25.5cm.)
x W.8in.(20.5cm.) x D.5.3in.(14cm.)
Manjusri,
his name in Japanese is Monju; Chinese, Wen Chu. He is regarded
as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and the God of Literature in
China. Along with Maitreya, Avalokitesvara and Samantabhadra,
Manjushri is one of the four Bodhisattvas who occupy the Universal
Knowledge quarter in the center of the Womb Mandala in esoteric
Buddhism. His most common form is a smiling youth with skin
of dark gold, and sits on a white lotus.
This
four-armed Manjusri holds the sword and arrow in his right,
and in the left, the Prajnyaparamita Sutra (with the upper
left hand originally holding a bow, it is now missing). These
attributes are Buddhist symbols of meditation and wisdom that
cleanse the evil of egotism.
Judging
from the proportion, gesture and attributes of this gorgeous
bronze, this sculpture of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom is an
excellent example of Buddhist art that was produced in accordance
with centuries of Buddhist traditions. Stylistically, although
there are hints that show strong Tibetan influence; but rather
than the slim, elongated Tibetan Buddha, the bodhisattva's
bold face and vigorous body, his extended eyebrows and slanted
eyes are distinctively Chinese origin. Further more, the unusual
style of the crown, the curvi-linear drapery folds, and the
rectangular base which sits the double lotus are indication
of a style produced in late 16th century, Ming Dynasty (1573-1644).
The zinc content and fabrication technique suggested that
the sculpture was likely made in the Beijing area.
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