Seated Bodhisattva
Unknown Artist
8th century
Medium
Gold sheet
Dimensions
H. 2 15/16 in. (7.4 cm); W. 1 5/8in. (4.2cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture & Period
Thailand · Mon-Dvaravati period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Roger Stoll, 1984
Accession Number
1984.494.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate *Seated Bodhisattva a masterful 8th-century gold sheet crafted by an unknown artist during Thailand's Mon-Dvaravati period. Measuring just under 3 inches tall and 1⅝ inches wide, thisutive metalwork masterpiece captures a serene Bodhisattva in a meditative pose, embodying compassion and enlightenment. Fashioned from thin gold, it likely employed repoussé techniques—hammering the metal from behind to create raised forms—showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Southeast Asian artisans. The Mon-Dvaravati period (roughly 6th–11th centuries) marked a golden age for th...