This small statue was crafted during the Anuradhapura period in Sri Lanka, dating back to the seventh or eighth century. It corresponds to the first royal capital (377 BCE–1077 CE) of Sri Lanka, during which bodhisattva worship was widely popular on the island. The sculpture would have likely been placed in a temple and venerated by devotees seeking protection in their daily lives and to increase merit or good karma to ensure a better rebirth.
Details
- Title: Bodhisattva
- Date: 7th-8th century
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: 3-1/4 x 1-3/8 in. (8.3 x 3.5 cm)
- Credit Line: Norton Simon Museum, Gift of Michael Phillips and Juliana Maio
- Accession Number: P.1996.2.4
- Copyright: © Norton Simon Museum
Object Information
- Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 3: Art from Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia, 2004, no. 36 pp. 46, 51
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