Longmen Grotto 403: Heavenly Kings

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Tang dynasty

These Heavenly Kings are located on the north and south walls of the rear chamber. The figure on the north wall measures 1.55 m in height. He stands before a round nimbus, and his crowned head tilts slightly on a short neck. The cheekbones protrude and the eyes gaze forward. Straps engraved with flower motifs on each shoulder brace the chest armor and the shoulder plates. The right hand raises a long sword across the chest, while the left supports the front of the sword. A sash is tied around the waist and the lower body is clad in a short dhoti, with the lower hem tucked into greaves.
The Heavenly King on the south wall stands on a demon and measures 1.87 m in height. The costume and features are similar to the Heavenly King on the north wall; however, the longer dhoti on this figure extends past the knees.