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This sculpture celebrates the Buddha’s awakening in the northeastern Indian village of Bodhgaya. The Buddha is seated cross legged on a double lotus and touches the earth, a reference to the moment when he called upon the earth goddess to witness his awakening. He wears monastic robes and is crowned and bejeweled. Crowned buddhas have been increasingly popular in Buddhist art from the seventh century onward. In esoteric Buddhist imagery, the crown and its ribbons falling behind the ears signify the Buddha’s awakening.
Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni
OriginNortheastern India
Date11th century
Dimensions4 3/8 × 2 1/2 × 6 1/4 in.
MediumCopper alloy with silver and copper inlays and traces of gilding
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberC2002.29.1
Himalayan Art Resources Number65148
DescriptionThis sculpture bears the standard features of late northeastern Indian Buddha depictions. The figure’s head is large, and his clothing clings to his body, its hem indicated by copper inlay. The three points of his crown touch each other at the base and are obscured by the jewels set between them. Behind the ear, ribbons are held by a knot decorated with a blossom, their ends turning upward above the shoulders. The necklace is wide and has large curved pendants, and the earrings are shaped like leaves. Considerable wear has distorted the face and the necklace. This sculpture celebrates the Buddha’s awakening in the northeastern Indian village of Bodhgaya. The Buddha is seated cross legged on a double lotus and touches the earth, a reference to the moment when he called upon the earth goddess to witness his awakening. He wears monastic robes and is crowned and bejeweled. Crowned buddhas have been increasingly popular in Buddhist art from the seventh century onward. In esoteric Buddhist imagery, the crown and its ribbons falling behind the ears signify the Buddha’s awakening.
Not on view
13th century
12th century
15th century
14th century
15th century
17th or 18th century
dated by inscription, 1871
14th century
18th century
1736–1795
14th or 16th - 17th century
13th-14th century