The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Eleven-Headed Guanyin

Eleven-Headed Guanyin

late 600s
(618-907)
wood
height: 62.9 cm (24 3/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1970.66
Location: not on view

Description

Guanyin, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion, can be identified by his attributes, carrying a tiny Amida Buddha in his crown, and holding a bottle with the nectar of life in his left hand. The eleven-headed Guanyin, in particular, has his eyes and ears open in all directions to hear, see, and help all those who are in distress. The garment and jewelry of this graceful figure remind us that the historic Buddha Shakyamuni was originally an Indian prince before he reached enlightenment. Upon his death, he entered nirvana, an eternal state free of desire and suffering, outside the realm of birth, death, and rebirth.

The dating and attribution of the figure as being from China needs further study.
  • ?-1970
    (Mayuyama and Company, Tokyo, Japan, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1970-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1970.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, vol. 58, no. 2, 1971, pp. 22–71. Reproduced: p. 49 and 70, no. 152 www.jstor.org
    Jenkins, Donald, and Robin Scribnick. Masterworks in Wood: China and Japan: [Exhibition] Portland Art Museum, November 4 Through December 5, 1976, Asia House Gallery, January 13 Through March 20, 1977. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1976. Reproduced: p. 39, cat. no. 9
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 334 archive.org
    Guo li gu gong bo wu yuan 國立故宮博物院. Hai wai yi zhen. fo xiang [海外遺珎. 佛像 = Chinese art in overseas collections. Buddhist sculpture]. Taibei Shi: Guo li gu gong bo wu yuan, 1990. Reproduced: p. 131
    Sun, Di, editor. Zhongguo liu shi hai wai Fo jiao zao xiang zong he tu mu [中国流失海外佛教造像总合图目 = Comprehensive Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Buddhist Statues in Overseas Collections]. Beijing: Wai wen chu ban she, 2005. Reproduced: vol. 6, p. 1213
  • Taming Tigers and Releasing Dragons: Masterpieces of Chinese Buddhist Art – Chinese Gallery Rotation 240a, 241c. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (February 8-August 11, 2019).
    Korea: Bridge of Culture. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (June 11-August 10, 1980).
    Masterworks of Wood: China and Japan. Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR (organizer) (November 4-December 5, 1976); Asia House Galleries, New York City, NY (January 13-March 27, 1977).
    Year in Review: 1970. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 10-March 7, 1971).
  • {{cite web|title=Eleven-Headed Guanyin|url=false|author=|year=late 600s|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1970.66