Mahavairochana
9th/10th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
16.5 × 7 × 5.7 cm (6 1/2 × 2 3/4 × 2 1/4 in.)
Classification
bronze
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
109435
Art Historical Context
Behold the serene bronze sculpture of *Mahavairochana*, a masterful representation of the cosmic Buddha Vairocana from 9th or 10th century. Craft in the Arts of Asia tradition, this 16.5 cm tall figure captures the deity's enlightened presence through intricate lost-wax casting techniques typical of East Asian bronze work. Its compact dimensions—16.5 × 7 × 5.7 cm—suggest it was likely a portable devotional object, perhaps carried by monks or placed in a private shrine. Mahavairochana, the "Great Sun Buddha," embodies the primordial essence of the universe in Esoteric Buddhism, symbolizing ult...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...