Project Description
Polychrome Wood Sculpture of an Elephant with Amida
The elephant carved from several pieces of wood, originally covered with gofun and pigment, much of that now flaked off. The animal is surmounted by a gilt wood figure of Amida seated on a lotus base with an elaborate mandorla behind
In Buddhist sculpture elephants are usually associated with Fugen Bosatsu. In a late 17th century example in the British Museum the bodhisattva sits astride the animal. However there are older examples of Fugen seated on a lotus base on the back of the animal, notably a Kamakura period one in the Sanjūsangendō, Kyoto
The elephant probably early 17th century, the figure of Amida 18th century
Height 73cm, Width 50cm
MR4523
