{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O66824"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O66824/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV2592/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV2592/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AV2592","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O66824/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O66824","accessionNumber":"IS.26-1987","objectType":"Sculpture","titles":[{"title":"Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Here the supreme Buddhist saviour Avalokitesvara raises his hand in a gesture of reassurance and protection to his devotees.  The gesture underscores the role of the bodhisattva, as the supreme expression of the Mahayana Buddhist concept of the compassionate saviour. (Bodhisattava is the name given to one on the path towards becoming a buddha.)\r\n\r\nThe figure is flanked by a lotus stem and flower asserting his dual title as Padmapani, the ‘Lotus-bearer’. He wears a three-pointed crown (<i>mukuta</i>) in the centre of which is the figure of Amitabha, the Buddha of Eternal Light and his spiritual mentor. An antelope skin (<i>mrigajma</i>), Avalokitesvara’s principal attribute, is tied firmly across his chest. \r\n\r\nSeveral features reflect stylistic conventions that were part of the tradition of the Gupta period (320-about 540 AD) tradition that were well-preserved in Kashmir. These include the conventional folds of the figure’s neck (<i>kombu-griva</i>), the flexed torso and masterfully modelled pleats of the waist-skirt.\r\n\r\nThe dating of Kashmir Buddhist sculpture is problematic, but this example has a close stylistic correspondence with one of the few dated Kashmiri bronzes. In this instance it is the Sugatisandarsana Lokesvara, which was dedicated during the reign of Queen Didda (980-1003).","physicalDescription":"The supreme Buddhist saviour Avalokitesvara stands on a double-lotus pedestal with an opulent flower garland (<i>vanamala</i>) surrounded by a pearl and flame aureole. He is crowned with a three-pointed <i>mukuta</i>, in the centre of which is the figure of Amitabha, his spiritual mentor. Jewelled waistbands and ornaments adorn the figure and an antelope skin (<i>mrigajma</i>) is tied firmly across his chest, both are attributes of Avalokitesvara.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Bronze, with copper inlay","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AV2592"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES415299"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Kashmir","id":"x32584"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"10th century","earliest":"0900-01-01","latest":"1000-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"40","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Bought from Spink & Son US $ 30,000.","historicalContext":"This bronze bears a contemporary inscription recording that it was dedicated during the reign of Queen Didda, who is known to have ruled Kashmir between 980 and 1003 AD.","briefDescription":"Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara","bibliographicReferences":[{"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.105, Cat.105","free":""}],"production":"Kashmir, North India","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"BODHISATTVA AVALOKITESHVARA\r\nCopper alloy with copper inlay\r\nKashmir, North-western India\r\nc. 10th century\r\n\r\nIS 26-1987\r\n\r\nThe supreme Buddhist saviour Avalokiteshvara stands on a double-lotus pedestal with an opulent flower garland (vanamala), and surrounded by a pearl and flame aureole.   He is crowned with a three-pointed mukuta, in the centre of which is the figure of Amitabha, his spiritual mentor, and an antelope skin is tied firmly across his chest, both attributes of Avalokiteshvara.\r\n\r\n","date":{"text":"25/09/2000","earliest":"2000-09-25","latest":"2000-09-25"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.26-1987"],"accessionNumberNum":"26","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1987,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP3493","2019LR4147","2019LU2253","2019LW1249","2020MP2056","2020MP2171"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-29","recordCreationDate":"2002-08-01","availableToBook":false}}