Prajnaparamita
14th c. Founded in East Java
Material: andesite
Size: h. 126 cm
Museum Ref: 1403/xl 1587

Prajnaparamita is the Goddess of Transcendental Wisdom. She is seen here sitting in the lotus position, with her hands raised in a gesture symbolizing the turning of the Wheel of the Law. Take a close look at her face: the serenity of her expression is in sharp contrast to her richly decorated appearance. She is adorned with a vast array of jewellery, including a caste cord, armlets, bracelets, finger and toe rings. (Items of jewellery such as these are displayed throughout this room.) The Book of Wisdom rests on a lotus flower.
The Javanese also called this statue Princess Dedes (Putri Dedes). She was the first queen of Singasari, from whom all kings of Singasari and Majapahit descended. One of the ruined temples in the south of Candi Singasari was called the Temple of the Princess, and it is thought that this statue may once have been enshrined there. Except perhaps for the fact that Putri Dedes was the daughter of a Buddhist priest and an identification with the goddess Prajnaparamita would be highly appropriate, we have no confirmation of the Javanese belief that this statue is also of the princess.