Famen Temple Pagoda: Bodhisattva Holding a Relic

CHINA, Shaanxi, Baoji; Tang dynasty

This Bodhisattva figurine was recovered in front of the fourth underground palace door of Famen Temple Pagoda in 1987. It was buried together with a relic in 873. The figurine weighs 1926 g. The head of the figure is adorned with a high topknot and a crown decorated with flowers, and the body is inlaid with pearls. The Bodhisattva holds a plate in the shape of a lotus petal, featuring openwork vajras, bead, and floral patterns. On the plate is a miniature stele inscribed with 65 Chinese characters, including the name of an emperor. The figurine is the only artifact unearthed from Famen Temple Pagoda Underground Palace marked with an emperor’s name. The lotus throne consists of three tiers: the upper tier has 33 petals with embossed images; the middle is round and carved with four Heavenly Kings; and the lower tier is shaped like an inverted bowl with the Eight Wisdom Kings and seed syllables in Sanskrit.