Mogao Cave 445: Illustration of the Amitabha Sutra - Heavenly Musicians

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

These figures are located within the illustration of the Amitabha Sutra on the south wall of the main chamber. They stand in towers to either side of Amitabha Buddha with a canopy above each group. Standing before the columns of beads, the heavenly musicians play various musical instruments. The musicians on the left play a transverse flute, harp, pear-shaped lute, panpipe, reed instrument, and bronze cymbals, while the musicians on the right play different kinds of Central Asian drums, as well as a transverse flute, and bronze cymbals.
The heavenly musicians wear high topknots and headdresses. Their bare upper bodies are adorned with necklaces and stoles, and they wear long lower garments. The figures vary in their postures and the colors and patterns of their clothing. The scene expresses a sense of vigor, freedom, and ease.