Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
This monumental appliqué shows Manjushri with his identifying attributes—a sword and book on adjacent lotuses—riding a blue lion. Manchu rulers, especially Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736–95), revered this bodhisattva; the Suzhou imperial workshop likely fabricated the piece as a gift to a Tibetan monastery. Various silks were used: silk strips to suggest the volume of the folds in his garment and couched silk cords to delineate the lion’s mane and tail. Above, the blue Buddha Akshobhya attests to Chinese familiarity with Tibetan conventions. At lower left is the pilgrim Sudhana, the ideal devotee who receives teachings from Manjushri.
Artwork Details
- Title: Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 17th–18th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord
- Dimensions: Overall: 160 x 92 in. (406.4 x 233.7 cm)
- Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
- Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915
- Object Number: 15.95.154
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Central Tibet
ca. 1700
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century
China
first half 18th century
Wang Hui
datable to 1698
China
late 17th century
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