Vasudhara ("Bearer of Gems")

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    dated winter of 1082
  • Geography

    Nepal
  • Material

    Gilt copper, semi-precious stones, and traces of vermilion
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 20.9 x 16.1 x 14.9 cm (8 1/4 x 6 5/16 x 5 7/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    S2012.2
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S2012.2

Object Details

  • Description

    Vasudhara, the Buddhist goddess of prosperity, holds symbols of wisdom and purpose in her six hands: a sheaf of grain, a vessel symbolizing long life, wish fulfilling jewels, and the Prajnaparamita Sutra, which signifies her advanced Buddhist wisdom. She cups her upper right hand to her ear, listening to herself sing prayers or powerful mantras. Adorned with small Buddhas, her unusual crown is typically reserved for priests knowledgeable in secret teachings.
  • Inscriptions

    Inscription: Om, on Thursday, the third lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Phalguna of Nepal era 202 (Feb–March 1082), the couple Abonana and Maina donated this venerable Vasudhara.
  • Provenance

    From 1964 to 2012
    Susanne K. Bennet (b. 1938), purchased in Old Delhi, Delhi, India. [1]
    From 2012
    Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Susanne K. Bennet, Washington, DC [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Susanne K. Bennet purchased the bronze in Old Delhi in 1964. She and her husband were posted to Delhi between 1963 and 1967, with the United States Agency for International Development and then with the Department of State. See email from Mrs. Bennet dated August 22, 2012 to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery detailing the circumstances of the purchase, copy in object file, Collections Management. See also Acquisition Justification, object file, Collections Management Office.
    [2] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)
    Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)
    Devi: The Great Goddess (March 28 to September 6, 1999)
    Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)
    Nepal: Where the Gods are Young (1975)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Mrs. Susanne K. Bennet (born 1938)
  • Origin

    Nepal
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Susanne K. Bennet in memory of Felicja "Lusia" Arendt (1928-1942?)
  • Type

    Sculpture
  • Restrictions and Rights

    CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)

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