Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom

China

Not on view

This monumental appliqué shows Manjushri with his identifying attributes—a sword and book on adjacent lotuses—riding a blue lion. Manchu rulers, especially Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736–95), revered this bodhisattva; the Suzhou imperial workshop likely fabricated the piece as a gift to a Tibetan monastery. Various silks were used: silk strips to suggest the volume of the folds in his garment and couched silk cords to delineate the lion’s mane and tail. Above, the blue Buddha Akshobhya attests to Chinese familiarity with Tibetan conventions. At lower left is the pilgrim Sudhana, the ideal devotee who receives teachings from Manjushri.

Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China

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Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China

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