Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)

Clay
H 18.2, W 15.8, D 5.4
China, Northern Qi dynasty　6th century-7th century

Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)
  • H040337
Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_0
  • H040337
  • 2017/09/05
Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_1
  • D003671
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Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_2
  • A024038
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Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_3
  • A024039
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Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_4
  • A024040
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Square Tile with Figure of seated Buddha (Excavated from China)_5
  • A024041
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A Buddha flanked on either side by a lion sits on a lotus pedestal in the full-lotus position within an arch-shaped alcove. An awning of tree branches expands over the alcove. This object is of particular significance, as it anticipates the style of votive tiles that would become prevalent during the Tang dynasty (618–907).  
Audio guide 

Shakamuni (Skt. Śākyamuni) Buddha appears seated in a tranquil scene framed by an alcove with an awning of lush tree branches. There is a hole for a nail at the corner suggesting that this votive tile was affixed as adornment to the inner walls of a Buddhist hall, pagoda, or a Thousand Buddhas cave. This senbutsu tile is of great importance, as it anticipates the votive tiles that would follow during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and offers a sense of their development. Its intricate composition in high relief was created using a mold.
 
YOSHIZAWA SatoruEnglish by Mary Lewine 
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.351, no.11. 

Accession Number 1143-0
Category Archaeological Works
Provenance Excavated from China
Bibliography Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Supplement. Nara National Museum, 1999, 108p. (Japanese) Buddhist images of East Asia. Nara National Museum, 1996, 306p. (Japanese) Sources of Japanese Buddhist art. Nara National Museum, 1978, 403p. (Japanese)

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