Tiered Offering Mandala of the Goddess of Wealth (Vasudhara)
19th century
Medium
Silver repoussé and gilt copper
Dimensions
8.9 × 33 cm (3 1/2 × 13 in.)
Classification
metalwork
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
58540
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Vasudhara—the goddess from whom wealth (vasu), gems, abundance, and well-being flow (dhara)—presides at the center of this multitiered mandala (a graphic symbol of the universe). When a deity appears at the center of a mandala, it serves as a reminder to the devotee of the god’s presence in the cosmos, as well as to the fact that the god is the cosmos. Here the concept is expressed by a mandala of three concentric outer circles rising to the space of the square. Identifiable by the pot of life-...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...