Standing Bodhisattva
Pre-Angkor period, 7th‒8th century
- Medium
- Bronze
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Dimensions
- 31.1 × 9.8 × 8.1 cm (12 1/4 × 3 7/8 × 3 3/16 in.)
- Culture
- Southeast Asia
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Asia
- Credit line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Wolff
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Art Institute of Chicago
About this work
This small bronze sculpture represents a two-armed Bodhisattva, traditionally identified as Maitreya, the future Buddha, although this is not certain. Stylistically attributed to the pre-Angkor period (7th‒8th century), it is of Mon‒Khmer origin, possibly from Buriram province in northeast Thailand, where several similar pieces have been found. The figure’s ascetic appearance features a chignon adorned with a small stupa or caitya, finely looped hair, and the absence of jewelry. The statue wears a short sampot (male wrapping garment) around the hips. The hand attributes, likely a water jar and lotus bud, were probably cast separately and are now lost. A joined tang beneath the feet suggests attachment to a now-lost base, reflecting early bronze casting techniques.
Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0
