Standing Bodhisattva

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

This statue depicts a Bodhisattva standing on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus. The figure has hair tied into a topknot and wears a large beaded necklace and voluminous stole. The skirt wrapped around the waist encompasses both legs in numerous folds. The petal-shaped mandorla is filled with flame designs and encloses a lotus nimbus and bead-surrounded aureole. An image of Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas sitting side by side is on the back of the mandorla. There is a four-legged stand with engraving beneath the pedestal. The front of the stand features a pair of figures making offerings. Inscriptions on the sides and back of the stand state the monk Baoliang commissioned the statue in 501.