Standing Bodhisattva

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The Bodhisattva wears a floral headdress with stylized ribbons falling from sidepieces. Stoles cross at the abdomen through a ring and flare outwards. The disproportionate hands are in the conventional abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras, with wrists turned upwards and downwards. The petal-shaped mandorla is covered with a flame pattern and encloses a floriated nimbus and aureole.
The figure is balanced upon a lotus pedestal that is supported by a four-legged stand. A small figure of a lion is riveted on the left side. The presence of a second mortise hole suggests that the lion is one of a pair. An inscription on the back of the stand states that the statue was dedicated in 518 by the lay Buddhist Zhang Kuang, to ask for blessings for his family and for wealth.