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Maijishan Niche 147: Seated Buddha
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Maijishan Niche 147: Seated Buddha
CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534); Clay; H: 1.15 m
This Buddha is located on the back wall of Niche 147. The head, crowned with a high usnisa, displays finely carved slender eyes and smiling lips. A small amount of residual color remains on the inner robe. Sculpted with fine lines, the outer robe has overlapping folds that resemble a wave pattern. Seated in full lotus position, the Buddha forms the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra with the right hand, and the varada (wish-granting) mudra with the left hand. Most of the sculpture’s fingers are missing. The flame-patterned mandorla has lost its colors. At one time, there were two flanking Bodhisattvas. |
