{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O64235"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O64235/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT2120/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT2120/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AT2120","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KC8367","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O64235/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O64235","accessionNumber":"617-1872","objectType":"Sculpture","titles":[{"title":"Seated  crowned Buddha","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This sculpture shows Buddha Shakyamuni wearing the crown and ornaments of a monarch combined with the simple monastic robes of a monk. The tall tripartite crown, necklace and earrings contrast dramatically with the unadorned transparent robe. \r\n\r\nThis representation clearly uses royal imagery to evoke spiritual authority. The Buddha is seated on a double-lotus throne beneath which rests a thunderbolt sceptre (<i>vajra</i>), symbol of an enlightened mind. With his right hand he points to the earth as witness of his resistance to the temptations of wordly attachment, represented here by the demonic goddess Mara. \r\n\r\nThe throne is decorated with an elaborate aureole and back plate with <i>makara</i> (sea monster) finials upon which are perched <i>kinnara</i> (half-bird celestial musicians). Beneath the lotus-throne appears the Earth Goddess Prithvi, bearing witness to the Buddha's yogic asceticism. The goddess is flanked by lion and elephant throne-supports, emblematic of the Buddha’s strength and nobility. \r\n\r\nThe two kneeling figures may be identified as a donor couple. The Buddha is attended by the bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Maitreya, each standing on a lotus stem. Seated on lotus-thrones above the standing figures are the bodhisattvas Vajrapani and Manjusri. They are identified by their lotus-borne emblems, the <i>vajra</i> and the manuscript book of scripture respectively. Above are celestial adorers, presenting and bearing garlands. A roughly incised inscription is visible on the base mouldings along with depictions of offerings and ritual utensils.","physicalDescription":"The unusual Buddha-type is represented crowned and bejewelled in the style of a royal figure. The Buddha wears a tall crown and transparent robe which clings to the body and is adorned with a necklace and earrings. The use of royal imagery to evoke spiritual authority is most manifest in this representation. He is seated on a lotus throne beneath which rests a thunderbolt sceptre (<i>vajra</i>), symbol of an enlightened mind, and with his right hand he points to the earth as witness of his enlightenment (<i>bhumisparsha mudra</i>). Beneath the<i> vajra</i> appears the Earth Goddess Prithvi, bearing witness to the Buddha's authority. On either side of the goddess are lion and elephant throne-supports and the kneeling figures of two female devotees. To the Buddha's left stands a Bodhisattva perhaps Maitreya, with his right hand holding a rosary pressed to his breast. The left hand holds a leafy plant. To the Buddha's right stands the Bodhisattva Padmapani holding the stem of a lotus in his left hand, the right displaying the <i>abhaya mudra</i> or gesture of protection. Seated on lotus thrones above the standing figures are the Bodhisattvas Vajrapani (to the Buddha's right) and Manjusri, their emblems, the thunderbolt and the book of scripture, supported by lotuses at their sides. Above these in conventional clouds fly two celestial beings bearing scarves, each with a smaller figure to the rear. Behind the Buddha is his throne, the top of which ends in<i> makara</i> (sea monster) heads and supports an aureole with a <i>kinnara </i>(bird-legged celestial musician) perched on either side.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Black stone or marble","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"}],"styles":[{"text":"Pala","id":"AAT18917"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AT2120","2017KC8367"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"20","id":"THES49852"},"free":"","case":"PL2","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Bengal","id":"x30825"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"},{"place":{"text":"Bihar","id":"x29823"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"11th century-12th century","earliest":"1000-01-01","latest":"1200-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"108.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":"Height above modern base."},{"dimension":"Height","value":"118.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"With base","note":"Height including modern base."},{"dimension":"Width","value":"54","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"53.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"At base","note":"Width of object at base."},{"dimension":"Width","value":"58","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"Modern base","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"21.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":"Maximum depth of object."},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"32","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"Modern base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Inscription recording the donor and his spouse: Vikva (or Vikra?) and Pratāpadevi.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"‘[of/belonging to] to donor, Vivka (?) and his wife Pratāpadevi’\r\n\r\n","transliteration":"(1) dānapati vikvaḥ [?] : I\r\n(2) t [?] asya vadhu pratāpadeviḥ : II\r\n\n","type":"","note":"Two line donor inscription on the central projection at the base of the sculpture. Slight damage to the final akṣara of the first line and initial akṣara of the second line allow tentative reading."}],"objectHistory":"Whitechapel Art Gallery: The Arts of Bengal 9.11.1979 to 30.12.1979. Purchased from W.J Hagger in 1872 for £5.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Seated figure of the Buddha, Bengal or Bihar, 11/12th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"For dating see R J Banerji, <u>Eastern Indian School of Mediaeval Sculpture</u>, ASINS Vol XLVII, 1933, Pl. V b & c\r\nA Getty, <u>The Gods of Northern Buddhism</u>, Oxford, 1928, p36\r\n\r\nBautze-Picron, Claudine. <u>The Bejewelled Buddha: from India to Burma</u>. New Delhi (Sanctum Books), 2010. ISBN 978-81-909950-0-9. pp.87-8 no.35 and fig. 72"},{"reference":{"text":"In the image of man : the Indian perception of the universe through 2000 years of painting and sculpture : [exhibition / organized by Catherine Lampert assisted by Rosalie Cass]. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson :in association with the Arts Council of Great Britain, 1982 Number: 0297780719, 0297781243 (pbk.)","id":"AUTH339940"},"details":"p. 189, cat. no. 327","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7","id":"AUTH347571"},"details":"p. 56","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Irwin, John C., Indian Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1968","id":"AUTH348144"},"details":"pl. 22","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Arts of Bengal : the heritage of Bangladesh and eastern India : an exhibition organized by the Whitechapel Art Gallery in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum : 9 November-30 December 1979, Whitechapel Art Gallery ..., 12 January-17 February 1980, Manchester City Art Gallery ... . [London]: Whitechapel Art Gallery, [1979] Number: 085488047X (pbk.) :","id":"AUTH339757"},"details":"p.26","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació \"La Caixa\" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació \"la Caixa\", c2007 Number: 9788476649466","id":"AUTH339669"},"details":"p.145, Cat.106","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Guy, John <i>Indian temple sculpture </i>. London: V&A Publications, 2007","id":"AUTH339668"},"details":"p.119, pl.133","free":""}],"production":"Bengal or Bihar, Eastern India","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Crowned Buddha\r\nAD 1000–1100\r\nPala dynasty\r\nBihar, North-East India\r\nBasalt\r\nThis image shows Buddha Shakyamuni at the moment\r\nof his enlightenment at Bodhgaya. He wears the\r\ncrown and ornaments of a king with the simple\r\nmonastic robes of a monk, together evoking his\r\nspiritual authority. His unshakeable state is represented\r\nby the vajra or thunderbolt sceptre under the\r\nlotus throne.\r\nMuseum no. 617-1872\r\n1000–1100","date":{"text":"1/4/2009","earliest":"2009-04-01","latest":"2009-04-01"}}],"partNumbers":["617-1872"],"accessionNumberNum":"617","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1872,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LW0675"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-13","recordCreationDate":"2002-02-28","availableToBook":false}}