Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, details of a painted roll, ca. AD 1500. Mogao caves, Dunhuang, China.
Two bronze dōtaku (ritual bells), Yayoi period (about 300 BC-AD 300), Japan.
The origin of the dōtaku is thought to be the Chinese cattle bell. However, the Japanese did not practise cattle farming, so the first bells must have been imported as ritual objects. The fact that they are often found buried on isolated hill-sides and show evidence of having been buried and dug up several times, suggests their use in an agricultural ritual. - britishmuseum.org
Polychrome wooden sculpture of Saint Mary Magdalene, ca. 1515-1520 from the Church of Saint-Mary-Magdalene of Augsbourg (Germany) by Gregor ERHART (1470-1540).
The Goddess Durga as Slayer of the Buffalo-Demon Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini), 14th–15th century, Nepal.
Gilt copper alloy, inlaid with semiprecious stones.
This is one of the finest Nepali depictions of Durga known. The eighteen-armed Hindu goddess Durga, an aspect of the Great Goddess Devi, is depicted in the act of slaying the demon Mahisha. After the gods had been defeated in battle by the all-powerful Mahisha, they created Durga to serve as their champion and turned over to her their weapons. With the force of the collective might transferred by the gods to her, Durga slays the demon, who had transformed himself into a ferocious buffalo. Originally, this Durga was part of a larger ensemble. She stood on the back of the buffalo-demon, supported on a pedestal. - metmuseum.org
Banteay Srei temple pediment, ca. AD 967. Banteay Srei temple, Cambodia. Sandstone 196 x 269 cm. Angkorian style (by dalbera).
Episode from the Maha-Bharata. The two demons (asuras) Sunda and Upasunda are arguing over the apsara (watery divinity) Tilottama.
Bodhisattva Avalokitshvara, 1282, China, from the “World of Khubilai Khan: Chinese Art in the Yuan Dynasty” Exhibition.
Book of hours , illuminations on vellum paper, Paris ca. 1410-1420. Paris Medieval Museum of Cluny.
Every book of hours was unique, with its own illuminations, prayers and texts for the practise of the Catholic religion during the Middle-Ages in France.
Standing Buddha (Dvaravati style), AD 8th century, Wat Phra Men, Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Isn’t it perfection ?
all about Borobudur, yogyakarta. INDONESIA
9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument. God, I have to see it once in my life…
