African

Ancient Mediterranean

Asian

European and American

Art since 1900

Asian Art

At the center of this miniature shrine the Buddha sits beneath the bodhi tree where he achieved enlightenment; his hand touching the earth calls it to witness his victory. Other episodes from his life appear on either side. At the base are illustrations of earlier incarnations of the Buddha; at the top the reclining Buddha enters Nirvana. The delicacy of the work, in a fine-grained, yellowish stone, recalls ivory carving, but the elaborate detail is subordinated to an orderly formal organization.