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Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas
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Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas
CHINA; Tang dynasty (618–907), dated 742; Limestone; H: 43.2 cm; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, USA
Within the niche that frames this composition, Manjusri Bodhisattva is riding a lion on the left, while Samantabhadra Bodhisattva rides an elephant towards him from the right. Both Bodhisattvas have petal-shaped nimbuses and are enthroned with legs pendent on lotuses that grow from the backs of their mounts. Stoles sway about them and reach to the ground. Between them, seven meditating Buddha images are seated on lotuses. Smaller figures of a male and a female stand making offerings at the bottom. The work is one of three which, according to an engraved inscription, were sculpted in 742. |
