The Horatio Colony Museum: Buddhist & Hindu Sacred Images - Collections of historical & artistic interest.

Mr. Colony had an interest in the sacred beliefs and philosophies of the East. This is apparent in the collection of Buddhist and Hindu images throughout the museum.

The pieces are made from various metals and their origins range from Japan, Korea, Thailand, China and India.

The Buddhist images include several images of Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), both standing and seated, with hands depicted in various symbolic positions or mudras. There are also several images of bodhisattvas. “Bodhisattva” connotes a person motivated by great compassion whose aim is to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all living beings. Unlike Buddha, bodhisattvas are still subject to the cycle of birth, illness, death, sorrow, and delusion.

Click on any of the images for a larger version. Click here to go to Hindu page


East Asian (possibly Japanese or Korean) Painted Metal Bodhisattva of Medicine The mortar and pestle indicates an association with medicine. The bodhisattva would be called ‘Kannon’ in Japanese; in Korea ‘Guanyin’and Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit.	Thailand Bronze Standing Buddha Making the ‘approach without fear’ hand gesture (mudra).	Thailand Painted Metal Donor Donor figures are found in temples, in a pose of worship flanking an image of Buddha. The unique way the figure is kneeling indicates that it is Thai.

China or Tibet Painted Metal Figure of the Majushri, Bodhisattva of Insight, seated on a lion. One of a pair.	China or Tibet Painted Metal Figure of the Majushri, Bodhisattva of Insight, seated on a lion. Second of a pair.	India Copper & Bronze Seated Buddha An image depicting Buddha’s first sermon. He is shown making the ‘teaching’ hand gesture. Base contains image of a long-haired ascetic which may refer to the hermits that were his first audience. This image is flanked by two deer possibly symbolizing deer park where he spoke.

China Gilt Painted Metal A Bodhisattva in meditation Ch’ien-Lung period 1736 -1796, from Buddhist temple in Peking. One of a pair.	China Gilt Painted Metal A Bodhisattva in meditation Ch’ien-Lung period 1736 -1796, from Buddhist temple in Peking. Second of a pair.	Thailand Bronze Seated Buddha Reminiscent of the Classic Sukhothai style of Buddha making the ‘earth touching’ gesture or mudra

Thailand Bronze Seated Buddha The Buddha making the ‘earth touching’ gesture which signifies the moment of his enlightenment and his renunciation of worldly desires	Thailand possibly the Sukhothai area Bronze Bodhisattva The robes of this female image are done in the ancient Dvaravati period style.	China Bronze Bodhisattva of Mercy Guanyin, goddess of compassion or mercy

China Bronze Bodhisattva of Insight Image is the bodhisattva Manjushri seated on a lion. There is a tiny image of Buddha in his headdress.	Japan Bronze Image of Buddha seated on a lotus. Hands are in the meditation mudra or hand gesture.	Korea Bronze The bodhisattva Guanyin depicted standing over the seas.

Japan Seated Buddha Bronze The meditating Buddha is making the ‘touching the earth’ hand gesture or mudra		Thailand Seated Buddha Painted Metal The Buddha is making the ‘touching the earth’ hand gesture or mudra but dressed as a king or a god such as Indra, god of War and Weather, also the King of the gods and Lord of Heaven in Hinduism. There are instances in which Thai Buddha images are dressed as kings, e.g. the Emerald Buddha.

Next page - Hindu sacred images