Rawak Stupa: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA, Xinjiang, Hotan

This sculpture is identified as Avalokitesvara by the triple images of the meditating Buddha appearing among the floral patterns on the leaf-shaped mandorla. This is unique as the figure that identifies the Bodhisattva is usually found in single form on the crown. The figure’s hair hangs in two thick ringlets down the side of the face, where it brushes the three lines on the neck that identifies this as a great person. Petalled ornaments of the same pattern as on the mandorla decorate the necklace and armlets. The upper body is otherwise bare apart from a sacred thread. The skirt is worn low on the narrow waist.