Touch the past: Utah's treasures

Some artifacts are valuable because of their historic connections, others because of culture and traditions they represent. Some have significance over a period of time; others stand out because of one specific occasion.

When the Deseret News went to several local museums and asked them to select one artifact that was a prized possession, one that helped define what their museums were all about, they were all enthusiastic about the project. And they all had a struggle coming up with just one object among the many thousands and hundreds of thousands of artifacts that they all have. But they did. And their choices are varied and significant and help us understand the role of both artifacts and museums in today's world. Here's a look at their selections:

Eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara bronze statue from Tibet

WHERE: Utah Museum of Fine Arts

IMPORTANT DATE: 18th century

HOW ACQUIRED: Collected by Drs. Helmut and Maude Callis, U. of U. faculty.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara remains in the world to aid those who are suffering and to bring them to enlightenment. It is also known as the Measured Light of the Sun and Moon, the All-Pitying One and the All-Sided One. The 11 heads represent the ability to see in all directions and thus to save the afflicted.

According to legend, Avalokiteshvara descended into hell and saved the wicked, only to discover that hell was immediately refilled with more sinners. His sorrow over the extent of evil in the world caused his head to split into 10 pieces. Amitabha, the Buddhist of Infinite Light, made each piece into a head. The face of each head on the first three tiers is serene, the 10th is fierce. The topmost and 11th head is that of Amitabha. The uppermost right hand holds a vase containing ambrosia. The lowermost right hand is in the gesture of charity and has an eye on the palm, symbolizing that the god is ever aware of those in distress.

COMMENT: "This is an object that has never been displayed before at the museum but is now part of an exhibit of Asian art. It is not a portrait of a figure, but a symbol of a whole concept. This is a living system of belief still held by millions of people. That alone makes it worth our knowing about. The rituals associated with such objects are not for the benefit of the idols but for the benefit of the believers. There is deep meaning attached, which is of interest even if we don't subscribe to those beliefs ourselves. They all have something to teach us." - Frank Sanguinetti, museum director

Square grand piano belonging to Abraham Hunsaker