Enthroned Buddha

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Buddha calling upon the earth goddess to witness his resistance of temptations immediately prior to his enlightenment (bhumisparsa mudra); he touches the earth with his right hand, a gesture that makes reference to all of his past meritorious actions. He is enthroned on a high four-tiered throne with a seat cover cloth displayed on the front. Each of the terraces is edged with lotus leaves, the upper one most pronounced. On the reverse is an undecorated cartouche containing a dedicatory donor inscription, dated equivalent to 1923 A.D. The Buddha ushnisa, denoting his enlightened state, is highlighted in gold foil as is the capping finial in the shape of a lotus bud. Both are stained red, as is the Khmer taste for gold. A solid silver stem support rises from the back, supported by three silver lugs, to display three openwork silver umbrellas with pendulous pipal leaves.

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