Tiantishan Grotto 3: Standing Bodhisattva
Clay
Tiantishan Grotto 3: Standing Bodhisattva
CHINA, Gansu, Wuwei; Tang dynasty
This statue of a Bodhisattva was originally located on the west wall of Grotto 3 of the Tiantishan Grottoes. Long locks of the hair tied up above the figure’s head fall down below the shoulders. The eyes are slightly closed, and the figure’s expression is composed and quiet. Standing barefoot upon a lotus pedestal, the upper torso is partially exposed beneath a stole that falls from the shoulders. A dhoti wraps around the figure’s slender legs. The hands are long and slender: the left is raised in front of the chest, while the right is clenched and hangs to the side. The skin of the statue is molded in such a way as to make it appear creamy and smooth. This statue reflects the fine craftsmanship characteristic of the Tang dynasty (618–907).
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1460.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1460,
title = {{Tiantishan Grotto 3: Standing Bodhisattva}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}