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Mogao Cave 17: Vajrapani Bodhisattva
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Mogao Cave 17: Vajrapani Bodhisattva
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty (618–907); Ink and color on silk; 55 x 14.5 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
This banner made of a narrow piece of tightly woven brown silk dates from the early 9th century. The green Vajrapani Bodhisattva has bright, almond-shaped eyes, curled hair that hangs over the shoulders, and a nimbus composed of colored rings. The Bodhisattva wears a trefoil crown, gold ornaments, colorful leggings, and a floriated red scarf. A thin white sacred thread hangs across the chest. Standing on a lotus pedestal, Vajrapani holds a small vajra and a long lotus flower. The palms of the hands are painted red. An inverted Tibetan inscription is written on the right beside the nimbus. |
