Object Notes

The bodhisattva Nyoirin Kannon was very popular in Japan, as he could make people rich and prosperous in several of his incarnations. He is named for the nyoi hoju—wish-fulfilling jewels, also called the cintamani—and the Wheel of Dharma (Buddhist law), which he holds in two of his six hands.

This tomb marker consists of a central plaque with Chinese writing that describes the deceased as a forty-five-year-old woman who died in the early 4th century CE.

In Japan, Buddhist temples were often guarded by a pair of Fu dogs, the Japanese version of Chinese dog-lion sculptures. Such dogs were believed to be the mounts of Manjusri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

In Japan, Buddhist temples were often guarded by a pair of Fu dogs, the Japanese version of Chinese dog-lion sculptures. Such dogs were believed to be the mounts of Manjusri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Unlike Western religious arts designed for churches or shrines, which were often painted on walls or frescoes, or, if they were smaller paintings, on wood panels or canvas, holy images made for Buddhist temples or for private Buddhist worship in homes were frequently painted with colored inks on textiles.

Unlike Western religious arts designed for churches or shrines, which were often painted on walls or frescoes, or, if they were smaller paintings, on wood panels or canvas, holy images made for Buddhist temples or for private Buddhist worship in homes were frequently painted with colored inks on textiles.

This scoop is of exceptional quality both technically and aesthetically. By the 1860s, the United States was the world leader in innovative flatware design. One reason for this position was the arrival of many talented silversmiths following the Revolution of 1848 in Europe. A significant number of these craftsmen were of Germanic origin.