Vasudhara ("Bearer of Gems")

Object Details

Description

Vasudhara, the Buddhist goddess of prosperity, holds symbols of wisdom and purpose in her six hands: a sheaf of grain, a vessel symbolizing long life, wish fulfilling jewels, and the Prajnaparamita Sutra, which signifies her advanced Buddhist wisdom. She cups her upper right hand to her ear, listening to herself sing prayers or powerful mantras. Adorned with small Buddhas, her unusual crown is typically reserved for priests knowledgeable in secret teachings.

Inscriptions

Inscription: Om, on Thursday, the third lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Phalguna of Nepal era 202 (Feb–March 1082), the couple Abonana and Maina donated this venerable Vasudhara.

Provenance

From 1964 to 2012

Susanne K. Bennet (b. 1938), purchased in Old Delhi, Delhi, India. [1]

From 2012

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Susanne K. Bennet, Washington, DC [2]

Notes:

[1] Susanne K. Bennet purchased the bronze in Old Delhi in 1964. She and her husband were posted to Delhi between 1963 and 1967, with the United States Agency for International Development and then with the Department of State. See email from Mrs. Bennet dated August 22, 2012 to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery detailing the circumstances of the purchase, copy in object file, Collections Management. See also Acquisition Justification, object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.

Collection

National Museum of Asian Art Collection

Exhibition History

The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)

Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

Devi: The Great Goddess (March 28 to September 6, 1999)

Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (November 19, 1992 to July 9, 2017)

Previous custodian or owner

Mrs. Susanne K. Bennet (born 1938)

Credit Line

Gift of Susanne K. Bennet in memory of Felicja "Lusia" Arendt (1928-1942?)

dated 1082

Accession Number

S2012.2

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Gilt copper with semi-precious stones and traces of vermilion

Dimensions

H x W x D: 20.9 x 16.1 x 14.9 cm (8 1/4 x 6 5/16 x 5 7/8 in)

Origin

Nepal

On View

Sackler Gallery 22a: The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas

Related Online Resources

Google Cultural Institute

See more items in

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic

Buddhism

lotus

mantra

Nepal

Vasudhara

South Asian and Himalayan Art

goddess

Record ID

fsg_S2012.2

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye350359a3b-d4bd-4aa6-88f5-826b0898279d