Historical Buddha

Object Details

• Description

  Dry lacquer figure. Image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in seated position. Hands missing and long earlobes broken off. Hole in back and hollow underneath. Traces of color on the robe, and gilt on the flesh parts.

• Label

  The aloof grace and lean proportions of this image of the historical Buddha are typical of sixth-century Chinese sculpture. The naturalistic drapery and hints of anatomical modeling, however, suggest a date closer to the seventh century. Layers of lacquer-impregnated fabric were draped over a clay core and covered with a lacquer-based paste that was modeled to create the details. After the lacquer dried, the clay core was removed, leaving a lightweight, durable shell that was painted and embellished with gold. This technique of work is called "dry lacquer."

• Provenance

  To 1944

  Ellis Monroe, New York. [1]

  From 1944

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Ellis Monroe, New York. [2]

  Notes:

  [1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record. Also see correspondences between Jan W.A. Kleijkamp, Ellis Monroe, and A.G. Wenley in the object file, Collections Management Office. In a letter dated June 3, 1944 written by Jan W.A. Kleijkamp to the director, A.G. Wenley states: ““The Pitcairn collection” was, as you know, a joint venture of Mr. Monroe and myself.

  As Mr. Monroe is handling the finances in regard to our venture, he will send a bill”…, copy of letter in the object file.

  [2] See note 1.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha (December 9, 2017 to June 10, 2018)

  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)

  Untitled Exhibition, North Corridor (November 20, 1969 to December 11, 1984)

  Special Exhibit for King and Queen of Nepal (April 26, 1960 to January 1, 1963)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Buddhist Art (July 19, 1958 to April 26, 1960)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Sculpture (November 15, 1944 to February 25, 1956)

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

• Previous custodian or owner

  Ellis Monroe

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  600s, 500s

• Name

  Monroe, Ellis

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Sui dynasty (581 - 618), Art, Chinese Art, Lacquer, Gautama Buddha

• Culture

  Buddhists, Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture