Title
Textile fragment
Year/Period
Late Ming dynasty silks (16th century); appliqué probably done in 18th century (Qianlong period)
Region
China
Dimension
Object size: L 102 x H 140
Accession No.
1999-00055
Collection of
This is a fragment of a much larger silk appliqué tangka featuring an arhat. He sits padmasana (lotus posture), in dhyanamudra (gesture of meditation). A kundika (water vessel) rests in front of him. The iconography is consistent with votive paintings and silk tangkas made during the 18th century under the patronage of the Qianlong emperor. This fragment seen here comes from the left side of the larger silk appliqué tangka. An arhat is an enlightened being who has attained freedom from the cycle of suffering and rebirths.
