Head of a Bodhisattva
菩萨石刻头像
A serene Tang-dynasty bodhisattva head, sliced clean from a once-colossal cave-temple statue. Its softly downcast eyes and jewelled crown represent the mature classical style that spread from Longmen across East Asia.
Object Facts
- Period
- Tang dynasty (618–907)
- Date
- ca. early 8th century
- Medium
- Sandstone with pigment
- Dimensions
- H. 40 cm; W. 20.3 cm; D. 19.1 cm
- Held by
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York, USA - Accession
- 42.25.12
Gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, 1942
Why it matters
Embodies the 'international style' of the Tang court — a synthesis of Indian Gupta, Central Asian, and Chinese forms that became the template for Buddhist art in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
How it travelled
Severed heads like this flooded the Western market in the 1910s–30s after the great cave temples at Longmen, Tianlongshan, and Xiangtangshan were stripped by dealers. Abby Rockefeller purchased it for her Chinese art collection and gifted it to the Met in 1942.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see Head of a Bodhisattva?+
Head of a Bodhisattva is held by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. Accession number 42.25.12. Online catalogue record: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39640.
When was Head of a Bodhisattva created?+
Head of a Bodhisattva dates to ca. early 8th century, during the Tang dynasty (618–907).
What is Head of a Bodhisattva made of?+
Head of a Bodhisattva is a sandstone head executed in sandstone with pigment, measuring H. 40 cm; W. 20.3 cm; D. 19.1 cm.
How did Head of a Bodhisattva end up at the The Met?+
Severed heads like this flooded the Western market in the 1910s–30s after the great cave temples at Longmen, Tianlongshan, and Xiangtangshan were stripped by dealers. Abby Rockefeller purchased it for her Chinese art collection and gifted it to the Met in 1942.
Can I reuse the photograph of Head of a Bodhisattva?+
Yes. The The Met has released the image under Creative Commons Zero (CC0), so it is free for any use, commercial or non-commercial, with no attribution required (though attribution is appreciated).
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照夜白图
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From the same era
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唐十二生肖俑
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清玉雕牧童与水牛
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Late Ming dynasty · Paintings
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五百罗汉图
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