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Bodhisattva in Contemplation
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Bodhisattva in Contemplation
CHINA; Northern Qi dynasty (550–577); Marble; H: 47.7 cm; Tokyo National Museum, Japan
The Bodhisattva is seated in the relaxation posture accompanied by two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. All standing figures are on lotus pedestals. The main figure wears a headdress with an ornate nimbus framing the head. The upper body is adorned with a collar necklace while the lower body is covered in a loose dhoti whose folds cascade down over the throne. The whorls on the knee are a feature of the Northern Qi dynasty (550-577). The branches of trees frame the top of the back screen with six apsaras among the foliage.
There is a child on the base of the relief holding an incense burner flanked by two lions and two benevolent kings. The reverse side of the carving has depictions of deities. |
