Liao dynasty's Bronze at the Cleveland Museum of Art
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_481602_473092527-1839413633495314-62590852956.jpg)
Bodhisattva Guanyin, China, Liao dynasty (916-1125). Gilt bronze. Overall: 43.8 cm; Diameter of base: 14.6 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1976.14.
The Liao rulers were devout Buddhists who commissioned substantial religious projects.
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a being who, just before reaching enlightenment, turns back to assist others to reach enlightenment first. This bodhisattva holds his hand palm forward, in a gesture that tells followers not to fear. In his other hand he carries a bottle that holds the elixir of immortality.
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_d18c07_473365430-1839419360161408-62774828758.jpg)
Manjusri Riding on a Lion, China, Liao dynasty (916-1125). Bonne, 17 x 10.2 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1974.90.
The Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjusri, is seated on a lotus pedestal atop his vehicle, the lion. A bearded attendant stands beside the lion.
At one time, something was threaded through the harness of the lion and the hands of the attendant.
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_f7f225_473266551-1839426333494044-31619328299.jpg)
Caparisoned Elephant, China, Liao dynasty (916-1125). Gilt bronze, 18.5 cm. The Cleveland, Museum of Art, Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1980.24.
The six-tusked elephant holds the throne of Puxian (Samantabhadra), the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue, who often appears with Wenshu (Manjusri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, on his lion-vehicle. This impressive gilt bronze statue is solidly cast, except for the hollow at the center of its belly. The richly ornate saddle cloth exhibits superb craftsmanship and vivid representations of dragons among clouds, echoing the worldly splendor of the Liao material culture.
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_d7d898_ump.jpg)
Square Mirror with Wan Symbol, China, Liao dynasty (916-1125), Taiping period (1020-1030). Bronze. Overall: 0.9 x 12.5 cm; Rim: 0.5 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee 1995.368.
In Asia, the wan 萬 symbol is associated with prosperity, good fortune, and various religions, Buddhism in particular.
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_828903_ump-1.jpg)
Square Mirror with Floral and Coin Motifs, China, Liao dynasty (916-1125) - Song dynasty (960-1279). Bronze. Overall: 0.5 x 10.5 cm; Rim: 0.3 cm; Weight: 100.5 g. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.371.
/image%2F1371349%2F20250112%2Fob_e820fc_ump-7.jpg)
Gilt-bronze Boot, One of a Pair, Northern China, Liao dynasty (907-1125). Gilt-bronze, 43.2 x 29.2 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Barbara S. Robinson and Family, 2023.97.