Title
Textile fragment
Year/Period
Late Ming dynasty silks (late 16th century); appliqué probably done in 18th century (Qianlong period 1736-1795)
Region
Sino-Tibetan
Dimension
Object size: L 81 x H 90.5
Accession No.
1999-00054
Collection of
This is a fragment of a much larger silk appliqué tangka featuring arhat Nagasena. He kneels with his hands clasped together in a gesture called anjali mudra (the traditional Indian salutation). 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. Arhats are enlightened beings of Buddhism who has attained freedom from the cycle of suffering and rebirths. They were disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni. In Tibet, there are a group of sixteen arhats. Arhat Nagasena, is one of the sixteen arhats.
