Description
The bodhisattva, an enlightened being dedicated to the spiritual awakening of all beings, is shown sitting in a relaxed pose, the eyes half-closed in an expression of profound meditation. The statue is modeled in a sensuous manner.
It is made using the dry lacquer technique whereby a clay core is first constructed and then overlaid with fabrics saturated with lacquer. Once the lacquer layers are set, the core is removed. This kind of hollow dry lacquer statue is lightweight and easy to carry.
The piece once suffered from severe surface retouching that distorted its original beauty. The museum's conservation work has removed coats of overpainting and over-restoration, revealing the true appearance of the glossy black lacquered surface with traces of cut-gold decoration and pigments.
It is made using the dry lacquer technique whereby a clay core is first constructed and then overlaid with fabrics saturated with lacquer. Once the lacquer layers are set, the core is removed. This kind of hollow dry lacquer statue is lightweight and easy to carry.
The piece once suffered from severe surface retouching that distorted its original beauty. The museum's conservation work has removed coats of overpainting and over-restoration, revealing the true appearance of the glossy black lacquered surface with traces of cut-gold decoration and pigments.
Provenance
(C.T. Loo 盧芹齋 [1880–1957], Paris, France) (by 1933–?); The Mount Trust of Captain Vivian Francis [1891–1968] and Mrs. Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Bulkeley-Johnson [1900–1976], Churchill, Oxfordshire, England (?–1983); (Christie's, London, England, 19 April 1983 sale, lot 42) (19 April 1983); (J. E. Eskenazi, Ltd., London, UK, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (1983); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1983–)
Accession Number
1983.86
Medium
dry lacquer
Dimensions
Overall: 44 x 37 cm (17 5/16 x 14 9/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Given in memory of Howard Parmelee Eells Jr. by his wife, Adele Chisholm Eells
