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Mogao Cave 17: Vaisravana
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Mogao Cave 17: Vaisravana
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Song dynasty (960–1127); Ink and color on paper; 65.4 x 47.3 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North wears a tall headdress and scaled armor. The simply painted face has wide eyes and a faint mustache and beard. Distinctive curved spikes representing flames rise from the Heavenly King's shoulders. He supports a pagoda with his left hand and holds a halberd in his right. A long sword hangs from the waist. Based on other images of Vaisravana, the missing bottom section likely depicts the Earth Goddess, Prthivi, supporting the feet of the Heavenly King. The cartouches on both sides are left empty. |
