ID: 700008511 Page link: http://vocab.getty.edu/page/cona/700008511	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) (statue; unknown Chinese; ca. 550–560; Northern Qi dynas...; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, U...; 65.29.4; )

Note: Large-scale sculptures of bodhisattvas wearing extraordinary jewelry epitomize stylistic and iconographic innovations in Chinese sculpture from the second half of the sixth century. Probably represents Guanyin, the Chinese counterpart to Avalokiteshvara. Another possibility is that it represents Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. The astonishing representation of a jeweled harness is made up of two long strands of pearl-like clusters and multifaceted beads. Some elements, such as the triangular pendants, have Chinese precedents. Others, such as the pearl cabochons, derive from Central Asian traditions. The appearance of such elaborately figural sculptures, which later became standard in Chinese Buddhist art, attests to a growing devotion to Avalokiteshvara in the second half of the sixth century. It is possible that the jewels refer to a passage in the Lotus Sutra in which the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and another bodhisattva extol Avalokiteshvara’s great compassion and presents him with a pearl necklace as a symbol of his benevolence.

Titles:

Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) (preferred,C,U,RP,English-P,U,U)

北齊 彩繪石雕觀音菩薩像（砂岩） (C,U,Chinese,U,U)

Catalog Level: item

Work Types:

statue [300047600] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), visual works (works), <visual works by material or technique>, sculpture (visual works), <sculpture by subject type>)

sculpture (visual works) [300047090]

..... (Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), visual works (works), <visual works by material or technique>)

Classifications:

sculptures (preferred)

Asian art

Creation Date: ca. 550–560; Northern Qi dynasty (550–577)

Creator Display:

unknown Chinese [preferred,VP]

artists unknown Chinese (Chinese cultural designation) [500125222]

Locations:

Current: Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, United States) [500125157] Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: 65.29.4

Credit Line: The Sackler Collections, Purchase, The Sackler Fund, 1965

Address Note: On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 206

Other: Original: Shanxi [7002086] China (nation), Asia (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Display Materials: sandstone with pigment

	sandstone [300011376]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material, rock (inorganic material), sedimentary rock, <sedimentary rock by composition>)

	pigments [300013109]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by function>, colorant (material))

Dimensions: H. 13 ft. 9 in. (419.1 cm); H. with base 14 ft. 9 in. (449.6 cm)

Cultures:

Chinese (preferred)

General Subject:

religion and mythology (preferred)

human figures

Specific Subjects:

	bodhisattva [300264360]
	.....(Agents Facet, People (hierarchy name), people (agents), <people by occupation>, <people in the humanities>, <people in religion and related occupations>, people in religion) (AAT)

	Guanyin [901001278]
	.....((Buddhist characters, Buddhist iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)) (ICON)

	Avalokiteshvara [901000085]
	.....((Buddhist characters, Buddhist iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)) (ICON)

	Maitreya [901000405]
	.....((Buddhist characters, Buddhist iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)) (ICON)

Provenance: Shanxi Province

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Movable Works

.......... Movable Works by class: carvings and sculptures

Sources and Contributors:
Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)	........ [VP]
	........ Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)
北齊 彩繪石雕觀音菩薩像（砂岩）	........ [VP]
	........ Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)

Subject: ....... [VP]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)