China, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) / early 500s
Adoring Monk
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Adoring Monk as sculpture (China, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) · early 500s).
The monk stands with his hands together in a reverent greeting.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as gilt bronze.
The museum's collection notes: Portable Buddhist figures and objects like this gilt bronze had a variety of uses. They could have been carried in religious processions. Others could serve as donations, souvenirs, or votive items in the context of pilgrimages to religious sites. Their miniature size also made them appropriate for placement on private altars or shrines for personal devotion.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtAdoring MonkOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.