Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) with 11 heads

Object Details

• Description

  High relief carving of Guanyin of Eleven Heads standing on a lotus pedestal set within a recessed niche, which is decorated with two flying celestial beings, or apsaras. In relief within a recess. Color, gray, with gray-brown patina. Limestone.

• Label

  Esoteric (Vahrayana) Buddhism employs rituals and magic spells and features multiheaded and multiarmed deities. This form of Buddhism was popular in China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), when this image of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, was made under imperial patronage. Eleven heads represent the stages of enlightenment. The sensuous sculptural style reflects Indian influence. This sculpture adorned the Seven Jewels Pagoda that was built in the Tang capital (modern day Xi'an).

• Provenance

  To 1909

  Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1909 [1]

  From 1909 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in Japan 1909 [2]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] Undated folder sheet note. See Original Miscellaneous List, S.I. 137, pg. 53, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Promise of Paradise (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Promise of Paradise: Early Chinese Buddhist Sculpture (December 1, 2012 to January 3, 2016)

  Buddhist Art (May 9, 1993 to August 9, 2011)

  Chinese Art—Stone Sculpture (September 1, 1979 to March 14, 1982)

  Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

  Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 17 (November 17, 1955 to January 1, 1963)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Buddhist Sculpture (June 2, 1944 to March 13, 1944)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, 1944 (March 13, 1944 to November 14, 1944)

  Untitled Exhibition, Asian Sculpture, North Corridor (May 2, 1923 to October 28, 1955)

  Stone Sculpture, Gallery 17, 1923 (May 2, 1923 to November 17, 1955)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Guangzhai Temple, Qibaotai Pagoda, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Sculpture

• On View

  Freer Gallery 17: Promise of Paradise

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  700s

• Name

  Freer, Charles Lang, Matsuki, Bunkio

• Place

  Shaanxi province, Guangzhai Temple, China, Qibaotai Pagoda, Xi'an

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Chinese Art, Tang dynasty (618 - 907), Avalokite?svara (Buddhist deity), Lotus, Stone, Bodhisattva, Guanyin

• Culture

  Buddhists, Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture

• On View

  Yes