ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)

mid-11th century
Not on view
Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, is one of the most popular and frequently depicted deities in Japanese Buddhism. Kannon grants deliverance from suffering to anyone who calls upon him. Here, he is shown in flowing robes draped with sashes. The sculpture’s surface was originally decorated with layers of lacquer, pigments, and likely gold leaf. Today, its cypress core is completely visible.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 観音菩薩立像
  • Title: The Bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)
  • Period: Heian period (794–1185)
  • Date: mid-11th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Cypress wood; single-block construction (ichiboku-zukuri)
  • Dimensions: H. 59 1/8 in. (150.2 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, by exchange; Bequest of Henrie Jo Barth; and funds from various donors, 2021
  • Object Number: 2021.116a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
The Bodhisattva Jizō, Intan Japanese, Japanese cypress wood (hinoki) with polychrome pigments, gold paint (kindei), cut gold leaf (kirikane), and rock-crystal eyes, Japan
The Bodhisattva Jizō
Intan
1291
The Goddess Durga Slaying the Demon Buffalo Mahisha, Argillite, Bangladesh or India (Bengal)
The Goddess Durga Slaying the Demon Buffalo Mahisha
Bangladesh or India (Bengal)
12th century
Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conquerer of Death, Black stone, Bangladesh or India (Bengal)
Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conquerer of Death
Bangladesh or India (Bengal)
12th century
Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation, Marble, India (Gujarat or Rajasthan)
Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation
India (Gujarat or Rajasthan)
first half of the 11th century
Female Shinto Deity, Japanese bigleaf magnolia with traces of color, Japan
Female Shinto Deity
Japan
ca. mid-11th–mid-12th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.