Longxing Temple: Buddha Triad

CHINA, Shandong, Qingzhou; Northern Wei to Eastern Wei dynasty

Unearthed from the site of Longxing Temple in 1996, the sculpture depicts a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas standing against a mandorla. All three figures are slim and conform to the Northern Wei style. The Buddha wears a monastic robe that covers both shoulders but opens to show the inner robe. Both hands are missing and only half of the foliated nimbus remains. The Buddha stands on a lotus pedestal that has lovingly detailed entwining stems that connect to the lotus pedestals of the two Bodhisattvas.
The two side figures wear high crowns of different styles with ribbons hanging from them. The clothes the Bodhisattvas wear are also different; one robe is plain and only decorated with descending stoles, while the other has a wealth of jewelry dangling in long strings down the body. The Bodhisattva on the left holds a lotus and a vase while the other has damaged hands. The design of the sculpture is simple, yet possesses dimensional depth.