Important Cultural PropertyAvalokitesvara (Kannon Bosatsu)

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  • 1 statue
  • Cast bronze, gold-plated
  • Statue H23.0
  • Asuka period/7th century
  • Tokyo National Museum
  • N-167

This image resembles the two attendant images of N-144 with the inscription of "Yamadadono image" in the shape of yoraku (threaded bead/metal decoration), the way of wearing the tenne (a long cloth) and the way patterns are engraved with nanako and special chisels.
The image, including the pedestal with the upturned-up lotus petals and its tenon at the bottom, is created in one cast and is solid. Part of a ribbon hanging from the crown on the left, which is detached from the body, is created separately. The lower base under the pedestal is created separately in one cast. There are big mold cavities at the bottom of the pedestal with down-turned lotus petals and in the tenons, whereas relatively small cavities are concentrated in the lower base top. However, the casting finish of both the image and the lower base are good. A renjumon (a motif of raised beads placed in a row) is created with a nanako chisel on the ornaments and the round frame below the upturned lotus petals, while a fukurentenmon (a double dotted motif) is created with a special chisel on the hems of the kun and tenne, the crease of the drapery folds and the rim of the pedestal. Gold plating remains over almost the entire surface of the image except the reverse side of the head ornaments, the hair and other hidden surfaces, such as the bottom of the pedestal with down-turned lotus petals. For coloring, ultramaine remains on the hair and black sumi can be seen on the outline of the eyes and on the eyeballs. The inside of the lower base is painted in vermillion (or Bengala).

Pieces

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