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Merv: Seated Bodhisattva
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Merv: Seated Bodhisattva
TURKMENISTAN, Mary; circa 5th–6th century; Terracotta; H: 11 cm; National Museum of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
The sculpture was discovered in the ruins of a stupa located on the ancient site of Merv in 1946. Under Kushan (circa 1st–3rd century) rule for a while, this oasis town on the Silk Road remained a major place of Buddhist learning for many centuries under the succeeding Sassanid Empire (224–651).
The figure sits cross-legged with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The headdress is fronted with a Buddha, suggesting that this might be Avalokitesvara. The head is tilted slightly to one side and has features common to Kushan sculpture such as thick eyebrows that meet to define a prominent nose beneath which is a small mouth with a thick lower lip. The Bodhisattva wears heavy earrings and a necklace as well as a garland crossing the chest. The remains of a nimbus are visible behind the head. |
