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Male face,from Tepe Xazana,Afghanistan,7th Clay,8 x 5,5 x 5,6 cm
#03070139

Male face,from Tepe Xazana,Afghanistan,7th Clay,8 x 5,5 x 5,6 cm

Schist relief panel depicting the division of the Buddha's relics, from Gandhara, 2nd century. A table with thick, elaborately turned legs dominates the panel. A densely worked textile covers it, on which sit eight reliquaries. The brahmin Drona stands behind the table, in the middle of the scene, flanked by the princes. Guards holding spears flank the table legs. In the next frame stands a bare torsoed female figure with one hand on her hip, and the other holding on to the branch of a tree. According to the ancient Sanskrit text, the Mahaparinirvana-sutra, the Buddha himself gave detailed instructions for the cremation of his body and the preservation of his relics. He apparently died in the kingdom of the Mallas of Kushinagara and they performed the final rites and ceremonies as he had sanctioned. When word spread of the Buddha's death, seven of the clans from surrounding territories sent emissaries, each proclaiming his clan's right to a share of the relics. However the Mallas of Kushinagara responded by announcing their intention to keep all the relics for themselves, on the ground that the Buddha died in their territory. A brahmin named Drona intervened to ensure that all eight claimants received an equal share. OA, 1966.10-17.1
#03070158

Schist relief panel depicting the division of the Buddha's relics, from Gandhara...

Gold amulet containing relics, 2nd century. This amulet would have been valued for exuding divine energy and was probably worn as a protective talisman by a pious Buddhist. One of the gold coins discovered in the amulet is well known for its depiction of a standing Buddha captioned 'BODDO' in Bactrian (using Greek script). This coin, now also in the British Museum, is useful for art historians to date when and where images of the Buddha were first made. Found at the Ahin Posh Stupa, Jalalabad, ancient Gandhara, India. OA, 1880-29
#03070159

Gold amulet containing relics, 2nd century. This amulet would have been valued f...

Gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni, Ming dynasty, early 15th. The gesture indicates that Shakyamuni has just warded off temptation and gained peace and truth. It is one of the largest and most ornate sino-Tibetan bronzes surviving from the 15th ct. It was cast in three sections: the Buddha and the double lotus throne, the stepped bas and the background mandala piece. OA 1908.4-20
#03070212

Gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni, Ming dynasty, early 15th. The gesture indicat...

Prince Shotoku Taishi, Japan, Kamakura period, early 14th. He is shown as a 16-year old youth holding a censer and praying for the recovery of his sick father the Emperor Yomei.At his feet sit two smaller figures in the court dress of the Kamakura period. The prince was one of the outstanding figures of Japanese history and was instrumental in establishing Buddhism in Japan. Prince Shotoku was sometimes seen as a reincarnation of Shaka (the historical Buddha) and many paintings and statues of him were produced at that time for devotional purposes. JA,JP ADD370 (1961.4-8.01)
#03070218

Prince Shotoku Taishi, Japan, Kamakura period, early 14th. He is shown as a 16-...

Figure of Aizen Myo-o, Kamakura or Muromachi period, 14th-15th century. Aizen is one of the five MYO-o, "Kings of Light" protectors of the esoteric Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Aizen has six arms, each holding one of his attributes: bow, arrow, thunderbolts, some missing from this figure. The statue is made of laquered and pigmented wood, with crystal inlaid eyes. JA, 1885.12-27.27
#03070219

Figure of Aizen Myo-o, Kamakura or Muromachi period, 14th-15th century. Aizen is...

Reliquary in the form of a model stupa, 1st - 2nd century. The reliquary is in three parts. The drum of the stupa has an ovoid cavity that opens into the circular hollow base. The harmika (the short square railing surmounting the dome of the stupa) and chhatravali (the multiple parasols rising from the middle) form another piece. The exterior of the whole reliquary has been turned and bears several registers of mouldings. Votive stupas were crafted to look just like the large architectural ones, and as containers of relic containers, they performed the same symbolic function. A rock crystal container was found inside the cavity in the dome. OA, 1887.7-17.34
#03070227

Reliquary in the form of a model stupa, 1st - 2nd century. The reliquary is in t...

Ivory snuff bottle, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 19th century. This snuff bottle is in the shape of a foshou (Buddha's hand), a type of citrus fruit. The name sounds like the words fu ('happiness') and shou ('longevity'), and the fruit was often used to represent these good wishes. The citrus tree was often sent as a gift at Chinese New Year. The fruit was carved in jade or ivory and presented on special occasions. This Buddha's hand snuff bottle has seventeen 'fingers', and has carved hands on the lid. The Chinese have used ivory since the Shang dynasty (about 1500-1050 BC). The ivory used during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), when this snuff bottle was made, was generally from Africa. Huge amounts of the material were imported for carving. OA, 1945.10-17.345
#03070242

Ivory snuff bottle, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 19th century. This snuff bottle is in...

Buddha. Painted wood sculpture; Muromachi period, 16th century CE.
#03070251

Buddha. Painted wood sculpture; Muromachi period, 16th century CE.

Tsuba (round guard at the end of the grip of a sword) with a depiction of Buddha. Edo period, Japan; 18th century CE.
#03070254

Tsuba (round guard at the end of the grip of a sword) with a depiction of Buddha...

Nobleman accompanied by his squire (fragment from a scene with the life of Buddha). Wallpainting from Dun Huang. China; Tang dynasty, 7th century CE. Inv. EO 1153.
#03070323

Nobleman accompanied by his squire (fragment from a scene with the life of Buddh...

Buddha Sakyamuni as child with Confucius and Laozi. Chinese painting on silk; 18th century.
#03070332

Buddha Sakyamuni as child with Confucius and Laozi. Chinese painting on silk; 1...