Kneeling male deity

Object Details

• Label

  In an active posture, the figure is lightly poised on one knee with the second foot planted on a lotus base, his hips slightly elevated as if ready to stand. His spine is upright and hands at either side holding two fragmentary objects. Tiny in scale, his perfected form is wonderfully complete.

  Although a deity in this posture appears frequently in Southeast Asian art, his identity remains a mystery. Here, the figure may have formed the finial for a ritual bell, a hanging lamp, or a staff. Comparison with ritual objects and with relief carvings on the walls of Borobudur confirm the use of such items in Central Java before the ninth century. He may hold the ends of reigns in his hands, suggesting he represents a divine charioteer.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Power in Southeast Asia (October 14, 2017 to March 13, 2020)

• Origin

  Java, Indonesia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Ann and Gilbert Kinney

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  800s

• Place

  Java, Indonesia

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, Southeast Asian Art, Metal-work

• Culture

  Buddhists, Southeast Asians, Hindus

• Object Type

  Sculpture