Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The early history of Sri Lanka is intimately linked to that of India. In particular, Buddhism, which first reached Sri Lanka in the third century B.C., profoundly shaped the art and culture of this island nation. This small bronze, representing Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, shares the physical proportions, sensuous plasticity, and exquisite modeling that characterize the sculpture of southern India in the seventh century. The deity's narrow face and elongated nose, however, attest to the work's Sinhalese origins. Avalokiteshvara is seated in a posture of royal ease on a square throne with right leg raised and foot placed on top of the pedestal. The left leg is pendant, the foot resting on a small projecting element. Identified by the small—in this case, abraded—figure of a Buddha in his headdress, Avalokiteshvara is dressed in a long dhoti and wears the sacred thread across his chest.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art