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Sakyamuni Buddha and Attendants
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Sakyamuni Buddha and Attendants
CHINA; Southern Liang dynasty (502–557), dated 546; Commissioned by Huiying; Stone; H: 34.2 cm; Shanghai Museum, China
The Buddha is seated cross-legged on a Sumeru throne with his monastic robes over-hanging the side and with his hands forming mudras. Bodhisattvas standing on reverse-lotus pedestals are located on either side. All three figures have nimbuses but the Bodhisattva's are bare while the Buddha's petal-shaped nimbus encloses a lotus. The three figures are united by a leaf-shaped mandorla with disciples incised between the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. The upper section includes a Sakyamuni Buddha assembly. A mountain censer flanked by two lions is located at the base of the throne. The inscription on the back of the mandorla states the statue was dedicated in 546 by the monk Huiying for his deceased parents. Buddhist artifacts from this era are rare. |
