Gilded Wood Amitabha Buddha
OwnerOwned by
James Cromar Watt
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1862 - 1940)
Datec. 1659
Object NameBuddha
Mediumwood, lacquer, gilding
ClassificationsApplied Art
DimensionsOverall: Height: 85 cm
Base: Width: 30.5 cm
Base: Width: 30.5 cm
AcquisitionJames Cromar Watt Bequest, 1941.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS014531
About MeOriginating in India in the 4th century BC, Buddhism and its art came to Japan via China and Korea in the 6th century. The essence of Buddhist art is to express the glory of Buddha, which is epitomised in the forms of sculptures decorated with gold or paintings with fine geometric patterns made of gold leaf. Amitabha Buddha (Amidanyorai) is one of the enlightened beings and resides in the Pure Land. The shape of his fingers symbolizes raigô, meaning to appear in front of people at the moment of death to guarantee them rebirth in the Pure Land.
Possibly 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Qing Dynasty Qianlong/Jiaqing Period, 1736 - 1820
Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing Period, 1796-1820
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, c.1795
James Cromar Watt
Meiji period (1868-1912)
James Cromar Watt
