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Collections

Unknown
Zaō Gongen: Mountain Avatarearly 13th century

Not on view
Polychromed wood sculpture of a dynamic standing figure with dark gray skin, raised fist, open mouth, and painted draped garments in faded gold, red, and pink, standing on a rocky base
Polychrome wood sculpture of a guardian deity in dynamic striding pose, one arm raised, standing atop a rocky base; remnants of orange, red, and gold pigment on billowing robes; stern facial expression with crown, traces of dark lacquer on skin.
Polychromed wood sculpture of a dynamic deity figure in a lunging dance pose, with dark-painted skin, one arm raised, wearing a crown and ornate gold and red draped skirt with dotted pattern; traces of original pigment throughout.
Carved and lacquered wood sculpture of a standing bodhisattva figure, photographed from the rear three-quarter view, wearing flowing robes with traces of red and black pigment, elaborate crown, raised on a rocky base; significant surface cracking and losses throughout.
Polychrome wooden sculpture of a guardian figure in dynamic stance, one arm raised above the head, standing atop a rocky base. Blue-gray skin with remnants of red and cream pigment on flowing drapery; traces of original paint throughout.
Polychrome wooden sculpture of a dynamic Buddhist deity figure in a striding pose, one arm raised, standing atop a rocky base. Dark gray skin with traces of gilding; orange and gold patterned draped garments; elaborate crown with fierce facial expression.
Close-up detail of a painted wooden Buddhist mandorla with radiating lines and scattered floral motifs in black on gold, a knotted red and ochre textile tie at top, flanked by richly patterned robes in red and gold with floral designs; paint and wood show significant age and loss.
Polychrome wooden sculpture of a Japanese guardian deity (myōō or tennō), upper torso visible, one arm raised with fist clenched, wearing a flame-shaped crown and red draped garment, with an open-mouthed wrathful face, inlaid eyes, and traces of gray, red, and gold pigment over a crackled surface.
Wooden sculpture of a guardian deity, upper body and head, with dark lacquered surface, inlaid eyes, a third eye on the forehead, bared teeth, and an elaborate crown with flame-like projections; traces of red and gold pigment remaining.
Close-up of a Japanese wooden guardian figure with inlaid glass eyes, a fierce expression with bared teeth, and a crown of flame-like projections; traces of original dark pigment and red lacquer remain on the weathered surface.
Wooden Buddhist guardian figure, close-up of head and upper torso, with dark painted surface showing aged crackle. Inlaid eyes, bared teeth, and flame-like hair topped with a small floral ornament convey a wrathful expression. Traces of red and gold pigment remain at the collar.
Wooden sculpture of a guardian figure, upper body shown, with flame-shaped hair, fierce facial expression, one arm raised with clenched fist, wearing a draped robe; traces of red and dark pigment remain on carved surface.
Detail of a wooden sculptural figure, showing the lower torso and draped garment with carved floral roundels, remnants of red and dark polychrome pigment, and areas of significant wood cracking and paint loss.
Close-up detail of a polychrome wooden sculpture showing layered robes with incised floral and scroll patterns in deep red and dark brown pigments, with significant paint loss and cracking revealing aged wood beneath.
Close-up detail of a polychrome wooden Buddhist sculpture, showing a fan-shaped ornament with carved relief bow knot, radiating incised lines, and floral dot patterns in red, black, and gold against aged gilded wood, with draped robes visible at the edges
Close-up detail of a polychromed wooden Buddhist sculpture, showing torso and bent arm with worn red, gold, and gray pigments, carved drapery folds, and a knotted sash at center chest.
Polychrome wood sculpture of a guardian figure (likely a Tennō or Niō), upper body shown with one arm raised in a dynamic pose, fierce facial expression with bared teeth and wide eyes, wearing a red draped garment and ornamental chest piece, dark painted surface with traces of original pigment.
Wooden sculptural figure of a bodhisattva seen from behind, in a dynamic twisted pose with one arm raised, wearing a crown and draped robes with traces of red and gold polychrome pigment over a dark ground.
Polychrome wood sculpture of a dynamic celestial figure in a twisting, airborne pose, one arm raised, wearing flowing draped robes with remnants of red and cream pigment, an elaborate crown, and jewelry; fine carved drapery folds throughout.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Zaō Gongen: Mountain Avatar
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
early 13th century
Period
Kamakura period (1185-1333)
Medium
Wood, pigments, gold leaf, crystal
Dimensions
a) Figure: 17 1/2 × 9 1/2 × 6 7/8 in. (44.45 × 24.13 × 17.46 cm) b) Mountain (base): 3 × 7 1/2 × 5 in. (7.62 × 19.05 × 12.7 cm) a-b) Overall: 18 1/2 × 9 1/2 × 6 7/8 in. (47 × 24.13 × 17.46 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the 2013 Collectors Committee
Accession Number
M.2013.52a-b
Classification
Sculpture
Collecting Area
Japanese Art
Selected Bibliography
  • Goodall, Hollis, and Robert T. Singer. "Art of Asia Acquired by North American Museums, 2012-2013: Los Angeles County Museum of Art." Archives of Asian Art 64, no.2 (2014): 236-244.
  • Singer, Robert T., and Kawai Masatomo, editors. The Life of Animals in Japanese Art. Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 2019.