“This visually arresting exhibition explores the exceptional artistic tradition of Kashmir, a region extending between present-day Pakistan, India, and China. In the past it was a vibrant center of cultural exchange where Buddhism flourished and was considered a Buddhist paradise, a revered land of learning, arts, and culture. Collecting Paradise traces the continuity of the art of Kashmir in the neighboring Western Himalayas for over a millennium, where artists created exceptional sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts.” — The Rubin Museum of Art

Traveling Shrine, Vairocana with Bodhisattvas. Kashmir (or Central Asia?); 9th-10th century. Sandalwood (?) with traces of polychromy and brass paint. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri (Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust) 44-18. Opened: 12.25 x 14 in. (31.12 x 35.56 cm)

Female Attendant Bearing Lotus. Kashmir; 8th century. Ivory. Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 1972.35.1. L2015.6.5. H. 2 15/16 in. (7.50 cm) [Base – H. 2.20 x W. 2.30 cm (H. 13/16 x W. 7/8 in.)]

Female Attendant Bearing Fly-Whisk. Kashmir; 8th century. Ivory. Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 1972.35.2. L2015.6.4. H. 2 15/16 in. (7.50 cm) [Base – H. 2.20 x W. 2.30 cm (H. 13/16 x W. 7/8 in.)]

Fasting Buddha. Kashmir; 8th century. Ivory. Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, 1986.70. L2015.6.7. Display dims: H. 4 7/8 x W. 3 11/16 in.

Gate-keeper of the western direction Vajrasphota. Western Tibet; 11th–12th century. Silver with copper inlays and traces of pigment, copper alloy throne. Rubin Museum of Art, Long-term loan from the Nyingjei Lam Collection. L2005.9.30 (HAR 68449)

Bodhisattva Padmapani. Western Tibet; c. 1200. Brass inlaid with silver and gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1976.70. H:26.20 cm (H:10 5/16 inches)

Seated Buddha. Western Tibet; c. 1400. Bronze. Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin, 1989.364. H. 7 5/16 in. (Overall h. 18.6 cm, base w: 12.2 cm)

Chakrasamvara, Kashmir, c. 9th-10th century. Leaded brass inlaid with copper. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, purchased with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Balch M.85.2.4. 8 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/8 in. (20.95 x 13.97 x 5.39 cm)

Folio from The Perfection of Wisdom manuscript depicting Gate-keeper of the eastern direction Vajrankusha Tholing Monastery, Western Tibet; 11th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, purchased with funds provided by the Jane and Justin Dart Foundation, M.81.90.9. Image: 3 1/2 x 3 1/8 in. (8.89 x 7.93 cm); Sheet: 7 1/2 x 26 1/8 in. (19 x 66.35 cm)

Crowned Buddha Touching the Head of a King. Kashmir or Gilgit (present-day Pakistan); 8th-9th century. Copper alloy with copper, silver, and niello inlays and traces of pigment. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund, 86.120 L2015.9.1. Display dims: Approx. 11.5 x 6 x 4 inches

Kashmira (Parvati, Daughter of the Himalayas). Kashmir, India; 10th century. Copper alloy with silver inlays. Rubin Museum of Art. C2005.16.5 (HAR 65427)

Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni. Kashmir or Gilgit (present-day northern Pakistan); 8th century. Brass with inlays of copper, silver, and zinc. Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art, 1979.044. H. 12 1/4 in.

Four-Armed Mahakala. Tholing Monastery(?), Western Tibet; 15th century. Pigments on cloth. Solomon Family Collection, TGK-029. 90 x 70 cm
Images courtesy The Rubin Museum of Art
You must be logged in to post a comment.