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Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary

c. 550

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

Mahakasyapa, the disciple of Shakyamuni, is presented with closed eyes in an expression of meditative concentration. He is holding a reliquary for the Buddha’s ashes, which symbolize the Buddha entering final spiritual attainment (nirvana) at death. The artistic simplicity exemplifies the spiritual content of this figure.

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  • Title: Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary
  • Date Created: c. 550
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 116 x 33 x 25 cm (45 11/16 x 13 x 9 13/16 in.)
  • Provenance: Edgar Worch [1880–1972], Paris, France, Victor Goloubew [1878–1945], Paris, France, (Étude Couturier et Nicolay, Hôtel Drouot sale, November 10, 1972, Paris, France), (Heim Gallery, Paris, France, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1972.166
  • Medium: limestone with traces of pigment
  • Fun Fact: The complex of Buddhist cave temples at Xiangtangshan, “Mountain of Echoing Halls,” is a central achievement of the Northern Qi period.
  • Department: Chinese Art
  • Culture: China, Hebei province, Southern Xiangtangshan caves, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577)
  • Credit Line: Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
  • Collection: China - Southern Dynasties
  • Accession Number: 1972.166
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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