 |
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
|
| |
|
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), dated 506; Gilt bronze; H: 17.8 cm; Sano Art Museum, Mishima, Japan
The pedestal on which the Bodhisattva stands is supported on a four-legged stand that in turns rests on a larger stand. Avalokitesvara wears a tall headdress and a heavy garment with stoles hanging from the shoulders. The robe is secured by a belt at the waist and flares out dramatically over the skirt below.
The flame-patterned mandorla is a prominent feature of this piece and encloses an engraved aureole and lotus nimbus. Six flowers grow outwards from the edges of the mandorla in a symmetrical arrangement, and at the apex there is a high floral decoration. |
