The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

Sakyamuni Preaching: A Votive Stele

c. 565 BCE

China, Northern Dynasties period

(386–581 CE), Northern Zhou (557-581)
Serpentinite
Average: 13.7 x 9.9 x 5.3 cm (5 3/8 x 3 7/8 x 2 1/16 in.)
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1915.561
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Originally the figures and background were painted; traces of red and black remain. The figures’ clothing and some exposed skin were gilded.

Description

The stele shows the historic Buddha Sakyamuni preaching, his lotus throne being flanked by lions, two attendants, and two disciples. There is a date and inscriptions on both sides of the stone.
  • ?–1915
    (John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust, Cleveland, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1915–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Perkins, Larry David. Intimate Rituals and Personal Devotions: Spiritual Art Through the Ages. Gainesville, Fla: University of Florida, Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, 2000. Reproduced: fig. 28 (center), pp. 26 and 73
  • China through the Magnifying Glass: Masterpieces in Miniature and Detail. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 11, 2022-February 26, 2023).
    Intimate Rituals and Personal Devotions: Spiritual Art Through the Ages. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL (organizer) (July 16, 2000-January 14, 2001).
  • {{cite web|title=Sakyamuni Preaching: A Votive Stele|url=false|author=|year=c. 565 BCE|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1915.561