Xi’an Li Family Tomb: Amitabha Buddha Triad
Gilt bronze
Xi’an Li Family Tomb: Amitabha Buddha Triad
CHINA, Shaanxi, Xi’an; Tang dynasty
This small shrine was discovered in 1977 from the Li family tomb in Xi’an. The three figures include Amitabha Buddha, with the Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara on the right and Mahasthamaprapta to the left. The tendrils of the lotus thrones sprout from a plant-like stand supported on an openwork base. The stand itself is an innovative creation.
All three figures are seated cross-legged with stoles descending from the shoulders of the Bodhisattvas to overhang their thrones. The Buddha’s hand is raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra while Avalokitesvara holds a whisk and a vase and Mahasthamaprapta carries a lotus. Amitabha’s openwork nimbus has a foliated interior and a flame-patterned surround, a style seen often in other Sui dynasty (581–618) statues. The nimbuses of the Bodhisattvas are more closely worked and enclose lotus-like Dharma wheels behind the head.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture St-Z, page 1369.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture St-Z},
pages = 1369,
title = {{Xi’an Li Family Tomb: Amitabha Buddha Triad}},
volume = 13,
year = {2016}}