Sculpture of the Buddha
Unknown Artist
Second half of the 8th–second half of the 10th century
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture & Period
Indonesia (Java) · Central Javanese period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Samuel Eilenberg-Jonathan P. Rosen Collection of Indonesian Gold, Bequest of Samuel Eilenberg and Gift of Jonathan P. Rosen, 1998
Accession Number
1998.544.48
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate gold Sculpture of the Buddha, hailing from Java, Indonesia, during the Central Javanese periodsecond half of the th to second half of 10th century), as a testament to the region's profound Buddhist devotion. Measuring just 1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm) high, its petite scale suggests it was a portable votive object or personal amulet, cherished by devotees for spiritual protection and meditation. Crafted by an artist in pure gold—a rare and precious medium—this metalwork exemplifies the exquisite technical finesse of Javanese artisans. Gold's luster and malleability allowed for intricat...