Bodhisattva in Contemplation
Gilt bronze
Bodhisattva in Contemplation
KOREA; Baekje period
Although the statue follows the conventions for figures of Bodhisattvas in contemplation, several features make it unique. The first special feature is the elongation of the body and the helmet-like head covering from which plaited hair falls over the shoulders. The figure wears a long double stringed bead ornament that meets in a medallion over the lap and then divides to loop down on either side. The style of the clothing and base are similar to the style seen in the Japanese Asuka period (538–645). A reversed lotus balanced on a square openwork base supports the bench on which the figure sits, another novel feature. The statue was listed as Treasure No. 331 in 1963.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 170.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 170,
title = {{Bodhisattva in Contemplation}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}