Collection record · Objects & craft
Eleven-Headed Guanyin
The collection record classifies this work as sculpture. It is dated late 600s. Recorded culture or place: China, Tang dynasty (618–907).
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A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Eleven-Headed Guanyin
- Date
- late 600s
- Culture / origin
- China, Tang dynasty (618–907)
- Materials and technique
- wood
- Dimensions
- height: 62.9 cm (24 3/4 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1970.66
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
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.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · John L. Severance Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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