 |
Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas
|
| |
 |
Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas
|
| |
|
Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas
CHINA, Jiangsu, Suzhou; Song dynasty (960–1279); Copper alloy; Suzhou Museum, Jiangsu, China
These two statues of Avalokitesvara were found hidden in the heavenly palace on the third story of the Ruiguang Temple Pagoda in 1978. Both are seated cross-legged on a Sumeru lotus throne and are backed by an aureole and nimbus which combine to make a flaming mandorla. The first statue wears a three-leaf crown and numerous pieces of jewelry. The figure's empty hands are held out and may have once held some attributes. The other Bodhisattva's crown features a seated Buddha. The arms are missing but this shows that they were separately made and then inserted. |
