Pair of deer commemorating Buddha's first teaching
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Chapel
Orientation 1
Standalone object 5
ABS 230
Code: ABS 230
Country: Mongolia
Style:
Date: 1800 - 1900
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 67.5 x 100.5 x 30.5
Materials: Gilt copper
Assembled from several sheets of embossed and gilt copper.
This pair of deer commemorates the first sermon of the historical Shakyamuni in the Deer Park (Rsipatana Mrgadava) at Sarnath (North India). In Indian Buddhist art it has been since the Gupta times custom to depict Buddha Shakyamuni with a pair of deer when the first sermon is depicted. From northern India this theme spread to Nepal, Tibet, and further till China and Mongolia. Pairs of deer assembled from gilt sheets of hammered copper, decorated many rooftops of the large monasteries.
This pair of deer commemorates the first sermon of the historical Shakyamuni in the Deer Park (Rsipatana Mrgadava) at Sarnath (North India). In Indian Buddhist art it has been since the Gupta times custom to depict Buddha Shakyamuni with a pair of deer when the first sermon is depicted. From northern India this theme spread to Nepal, Tibet, and further till China and Mongolia. Pairs of deer assembled from gilt sheets of hammered copper, decorated many rooftops of the large monasteries.
Pal, Pratapaditya, 1990. Art of Tibet: A Catalogue of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Collection. Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Sèngué, Tcheuky, 2002. Petite Encyclopédie des Divinités et symboles du Bouddhisme Tibétain. Editions Claire Lumiere .