Artwork Page for Celestial Musician

Details / Information for Celestial Musician

Celestial Musician

1300s

Central Asia

Medium
silk and gold thread over two layers of cotton, embroidery
Measurements
Overall: 66.5 x 45 cm (26 3/16 x 17 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1987.145
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Although a number of Buddhist textiles produced in the Sino-Tibetan style survive, Central Asian embroideries from the same period are exceedingly rare. Here, a goddess standing on a lotus support and playing a bowed lute may be the personification of the sense of hearing. In Buddhism, the five senses were represented as female deities, each a different color (in this case, blue). The style of the figure, her hair, the form of her crown, the nervously ruffled hem, the scrolling scarves, and the rainbow halo with rays are Central Asian. This figure originally was part of a large hanging.
A vertically oriented silk and gold thread embroidery depicts a figure with a blue skin tone standing within an oval mandorla. Facing left, they hold a blue and gold stringed instrument across their body. The figure wears yellow robes and flowing green sashes, crowned with a golden headpiece and light blue halo. A larger golden halo with radiating lines encloses the scene. The piece features visible stitching and frayed edges against a textured gray background.

Celestial Musician

1300s

Central Asia

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