Bodhisattva of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara)
Medium
ivory
Dimensions
h. 29.2 cm
Classification
Ivory
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Sundry Purchase Fund
Accession Number
1968.280
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
male
About this artwork
Choying Dorje was one of the most influential monastic leaders in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Known as the Tenth Karmapa, he was the head of the Karma Kagyu order of monks. His biographies state that from a young age he had a talent and passion for carving and painting images of bodhisattvas and other enlightened beings. Several of his original works survive, including this exceptionally rare ivory carving of Avalokiteshvara holding a lotus. Stylistically it is related to images from southw...